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Table 2 Groupings of communication skills in the literature as applied to patient communication, feedback conversations and simulation debriefs

From: Finding common ground: meta-synthesis of communication frameworks found in patient communication, supervision and simulation literature

Grouping

Strategies

Context (References)

Counselling Micro-skills

 (1) Attending behaviours

Eye contact, vocal qualities, verbal tracking.

Patient [55]

 (2) Body language

Squarely face, Open posture, Lean, Eye contact, Relaxed(SOLER)

Patient [56]

Sit at an angle”; “Uncross legs and arms”; “Relax”; “Eye contact”; “Touch”; “Your intuition” (SURETY)

 (3) Questioning

Open versus closed questions

Simulation [57]

Encouraging, Summarising, paraphrasing

 (4) Promoted self-reflection

 

Patient [58] Feedback [37] Simulation [27]

 (5) Active listening

Name, Understand, Respect, Support, Explore

Patient (Back et al. [54])

 (6) Signposting

Name structures to facilitate navigation through conversation.

Patient [59]

Patient centred interview technique

 (1) Focusing

Silence,

Patient Fassaert et al. 2007 -[60]

Non-verbal encouragement and neutral utterances

Simulation [44]

 (2) Non focusing

Reflection, echoing, open ended requests and summarising

Meta-skills

 Cognitive appraisal -Cues

Picking up and responding to patient cues

[21]

 Cognitive appraisal -Barriers

Uncovering and resolving barriers to communication

Mindfulness

Full immersion in the moment

[24]

Community orientation

Recognising and acting upon the importance of community supports such as family (for patients) or peers (for learners)

Team orientation

Recognising the importance of the team and acting accordingly

Simulation techniques

 (1) Advocacy-inquiry

Advocating a particular interpretation -combined with genuine curiosity as to whether that interpretation is correct.

Debrief [61]

 (2). Group techniques (Debriefing)

Team guided self correction

[44]

Circular questioning