Communication skills in healthcare: academic, clinician and patient perspectives

This PhD explores healthcare communication skills from the perspectives of academics, clinicians and patients. We know that communication is key to effective healthcare and this research has revealed new approaches for teaching and learning these skills. Findings indicate that we need to consider multiple stakeholders in the design of communication education, we need to develop healthcare professionals’ skills at assessing their own communication and asking for feedback, and workplace teaching of communication skills needs improving. This thesis also concludes that the patient voice is key to developing communication education to ultimately improve the care of the patient.