Video vignette project

Improving communication skills

The Physician Health Program (PHPBC) has long served physicians in British Columbia by providing tools to enhance their health. A new project funded by the CMPA addresses the proven health benefits enjoyed by physicians through improved communication skills. Research shows that in addition to avoiding complaints, increasing patient adherence, improving outcomes, communication skills improve physician health by reducing stress and avoiding burnout.

Previous training issues

Previous work in the teaching and learning of communication skills for physicians has been hampered by lack of agreement about what constitutes successful demonstration of the skills**. Existing audiovisual illustrations of skilled and unskilled interpersonal communications are often encumbered by copyright, and not available for free dissemination and adaptation.

Technology innovations provide benefits

The new PHPBC project uses sets of paired video vignettes to demonstrate how a common set communication skills apply in a variety of situations. Each set of vignettes portrays the same scenario with the actors using both realistic and more empathic communication. The combination of contrasting vignettes and the clarity of the video medium addresses concerns raised by previous researchers about the successfull demonstration of skills.  When completed the videos, and all the work products leading to them, will be made freely available over the Internet under a creative commons license. In this way, they can be used by experts worldwide in their training programs, and by individuals for learning at their convenience.