Connected: Improving the Patient-Physician Relationship – And Health Care Itself – Through Communication

This paper from the Beryl Institute explores the value and impact of patient-physician communication in health care. 

Most People Prefer Their Bad News Candid and Direct

New research has found that when it comes to receiving bad news, most people prefer directness, candor, and very little — if any — buffer. Read article here

Children’s Hospital Passport

The Hospital Passport contains important information, such as medical history, medications and baseline health for the child, and also contains information about how a child communicates; how they express pain and anxiety, their likes and dislikes.

The practitioner should read the Hospital Passport prior to meeting the patient so that they may build up a rapport and put into place any reasonable adjustments. This could include communication technique, or the way a medical intervention is carried out. This enables staff to understand the child in a unique way and therefore prevent any diagnostic overshadowing and discrimination due to disability.

2016 adult inpatient survey: statistical release

This CQC report outlines the findings of the 2016 adult inpatient survey which illustrates the experiences of care of over 77,000 patients who received care in an NHS hospital during July 2016.

The report identifies significant improvements in the quality of communication and confidence in medical staff however it warns that there are a substantial amount of areas which have shown decline such as patient involvement, waiting times and post-discharge care.

Voices of medicine: changes in doctor–patient communication

This article looks at the changing communication strategies between the doctor and the patient over the years.

No regrets: how talking more openly about death could help people die well

This report from Macmillan Cancer Support finds that more than 62,000 people die of cancer in hospitals each year in the UK despite a significant majority stating that they would like to die at home. It reveals the challenging obstacles that people face when discussing death and highlights the need for better communication to help people plan for their final days.

Give a Better Patient Experience by Introducing the Care Team

New post to the Beryl Institute's guest blog:

As a patient, it can be uncomfortable and overwhelming to stay in a lonely hospital room with a seemingly neverending stream of unfamiliar faces coming and going throughout all hours of the day and night.

Hospitals can do a lot to improve the patient experience. One simple, yet surprisingly effective way to do so is by simply taking the time to introduce the patient to his or her care team professionals. This one act can improve a patient’s familiarity with their care team members, enhance their awareness of what to expect from each member and increase their confidence in the care that is being provided. When these things happen, the doctors, nurses and other hospital staff can also feel more connected with and more committed to providing the best care possible.

Information delivered by telemedicine can improve diabetes control

Telemedicine, such as text messaging or internet support systems used to communicate with patients, improves long-term blood sugar control in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

From the NIHR Dissemination Centre

How nurses support families of intensive care patients towards the end of life

Families of people dying in intensive care need to receive personalised communication and ongoing support, and be involved in the dying process.

Reviewers identified three main ways, or themes, in which families are supported. First, information and good communication, such as the focus on careful use of language, was seen commonly. Second, by careful management of treatment withdrawal itself, for example by clarifying the gradual change expected when medically focussed life-sustaining treatments are withdrawn and family centred end-of-life care begins. Lastly they described a common focus on making the nursing contribution more visible, such as using techniques to build lasting memories for families.

From the NIHR Dissemination Centre

Dementia 2020 Citizens' Engagement Programme: Toolkit For Engaging People With Dementia And Carers

Department of Health -

This toolkit is aimed at dementia groups and networks and provides guidance and tips about facilitating discussions with people with dementia and carers effectively and sensitively.

Treatments of low clinical value

As part of the “choosing wisely” campaign, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges listed 40 treatments and procedures that have limited clinical value or impact.

The campaign calls for doctors and patients to have a fully informed conversation about the risks and benefits of treatments and procedures.

Improving patient-practitioner communication

The NHS in Wales has run a nationwide campaign to improve dialogue between patients and healthcare practitioners on the issue of “do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation” (DNACPR) orders among patients with a terminal illness.

This case study is most relevant to acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts and NHS trusts.

We need patients and the public to shape local health plans, say NHS leaders

Patients and the public across England are set to be asked to help the local NHS make decisions about how best to develop services. 

The NHS in England is today (Thursday) publishing national advice for local health and social care leaders preparing what are known as local Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs).

MODEM: modelling outcome and cost impacts of interventions for dementia: STAR programme

Staff Training in Assisted Living Residences (STAR) is a training programme developed in the USA for care home staff working with people with dementia. It aims to improve understanding of the needs of people with dementia, strengthen the principles of treating people with dignity and respect, develop communication skills and improve job satisfaction.

Health System Performance For The High-Need Patient: A Look At Access To Care And Patient Care Experiences

The Commonwealth Fund -
This report compared the health care experience of U.S. patients with co-morbidities and a functional limitation in the ability to care for themselves to those with multiple conditions but no functional limitations. It found that patients with higher levels of need were more likely to report having unmet medical needs and less likely to report experiences of good patient-provider communication. The findings of this study highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to meet the needs of the highest-need, most complex patients.

New Guide to Annual Reporting on Patient and the Public Participation

NHS England has launched a new annual reporting guide for CCGs and NHS England staff. It sets out the organisations’ responsibilities to report on how they meet their legal duties to involve patients and the public in their work.

The guide includes useful tools, resources and good practice examples to support the development of annual reports. It also provides advice on making reports accessible and appealing.

Five ways to help make health and care accessible

With the Accessible Information Standard coming into force on 31 July 2016, Healthwatch takes a look at how people's experiences across England have already helped to challenge barriers and improve accessibility in health and care.

1. The importance of making publications accessible
2. Improving access to health services for the Deaf community
3. Explaining things in a way people can understand
4. Improving GP services for Deaf patients
5. Helping people with communication support needs