Teaching and Learning Consultation Skills
Introduction to TALC Skills
TALC is a set of learning modules covering all aspects of teaching and learning consultation skills.
If you are a clinician in any kind of training programme, the consultation skills you need are described with tried and tested teaching methods to help you improve your skills.
If you are a clinician already working with patients, these materials will help you develop your skills even further. Resources can be used by practitioners in any healthcare profession.
If you are an educator/clinical supervisor TALC has tried and tested educational methods for you, described in detail, with resources to help you plan teaching sessions easily.
The Effective Teaching Methods For Primary Care Education covers effective teaching methods in healthcare more fully for educators wanting to develop their skills.
The modules are mapped to the Calgary Cambridge Framework for the consultation, and the contents of each chapter are mapped to the skills listed in the Calgary Cambridge Process Guide for easy reference.
Each module is subdivided into chapters, which contain downloadable and shareable written resources about the skills, along with specific tried and tested ideas about the best ways to teach and learn the skills described. The colored pages in the PDFs are for educators and contain suggestions for teaching skills either one to one or in groups.
There are also podcasts and video demonstrations of the skills. Users can work through the modules systematically or browse the modules and chapters for aspects that spark their own interest.
Module 9, “TALC Effective Methods for Teaching Consultation Skills,” is particularly for educators or supervisors who want to help others improve their consultation skills.
The two introductory chapters (below) “thank you for listening – why are consultation skills so important?” and “what does everyone need to know about improving consultation skills?” introduce the background to the resources.
Within each module there are a series of linked chapters which all include...
1. A general introduction to the skill, where it fits into the consultation as a whole and why it is important. This will be especially useful for any clinicians in training programmes. Notes are given about applying the skill when consulting remotely.
2. Reliable methods for teaching skills, in one to one situations for example a tutorial or supervision session with a learner, or in groups, for example, a study release course. There are comments about using remote teaching methods.
3. Comments on how to engage, motivate and energise participants, structuring training, and suggestions for evaluating understanding and use of the skills.
4. Resources including references for background reading, ‘skills checklists’ for observers/educators to ensure that feedback
MODULE DESCRIPTIONS
Module 0 IF YOU ARE NEW TO THIS
For individuals who are new to the NHS and primary care, learning consultation skills is critical to their success as healthcare professionals. In primary care, healthcare professionals work directly with patients, often on a one-on-one basis. As such, they must be skilled in communication, active listening, and empathy to provide effective care
Module 1 SKILLS FOR BEGINNING CONSULTATIONS EFFECTIVELY
This module will help you to get ALL your consultations off to a good start. Investing in the beginning makes for smoother consultations overall. Find out how to go home with energy to spare.
Module 2 SKILLS FOR BUILDING EFFECTIVE RELATIONSHIPS
When clinician and patient “get on the same page” and work collaboratively together, evidence shows better clinical outcomes, fewer errors and increased satisfaction for clinicians and patients alike. Develop your empathy skills and discover how 40 seconds of empathic interaction can have long lasting effects.
Module 3 SKILLS FOR EFFECTIVE INFORMATION GATHERING
The ear is as mighty as the scalpel. Accurate diagnosis depends on great listening skills. Find out how your listening ear can be more effective in this module.
Module 4 ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR EFFECTIVE EXPLANATIONS AND PLANNING OF PERSONALISED CARE
The simple, yet highly effective, skills described this module will help clinicians to create explanations that make sense to patients. Then it is easy to develop care plans that are personalised to each individual’s unique needs.
Module 5 ADVANCED SKILLS FOR EFFECTIVE EXPLANATIONS AND PLANNING OF PERSONALISED CARE
Uncertainty, long term care, Persistent and Functional symptoms as well as mental health needs may lead to complex consultations. This module empowers clinicians to face these interesting situations with more confidence.
Module 6 SKILLS FOR EFFECTIVE ENDINGS TO THE CONSULTATION
Learn how to end consultations skilfully in this module. An effective ending is safer, results in fewer complaints and ensures clarity about the next steps for clinicians and patients.
Module 7 SKILLS FOR MANAGING TIME EFFECTIVELY
Time is our most precious resource. This module sets out skills for using time effectively, meaning that the time that clinicians and patients spend together is more productive.
Module 8 INSPIRATION AND REJUVENATION
The chapters in this module can give your mind a refreshing break, offer interesting thoughts to inspire your day and provide an effective boost to your learning.
Module 9 EFFECTIVE METHODS FOR TEACHING CONSULTATION SKILLS.
Mainly for educators, clinical supervisors and trainers, this module explores the tried and tested techniques that make for effective consultation skills education. From engaging your participants and developing effective feedback, through to creating really effective skills rehearsals and role plays, educators will find resources to support training in all environments.
Module 10 USING CONSULTATION SKILLS IN COMPLEX CONVERSATIONS
Effective consultation skills for more complex situations, explores the skills needed for some of the more delicate and complex situations that clinicians need to discuss with their patients. This module is about skilled conversations, rather than specific skills. This will always require most of the skills from the TALC Modules 1 to 7, often applied with more awareness or more intensity or combined together in new ways to meet the circumstances.
Module 11 HOLDING THE CALM – SKILLS FOR TIMES WHEN THE CONVERSATION BECOMES AGGRESSIVE OR ABUSIVE
