This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
Training of Lecturers
Training for Paediatricians and Paediatric Students
Multilanguage dictionary of medical terms
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Contractual Partners
From this section it is possible to access to a description of each contractual partner of the Softis-Ped project.
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Lecturers
From this section it is possible to access to the information about the paediatric lecturers involved in the Softis-Ped Project in the 5 European countries involved.
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Residents Working with Children Information
From this section it is possible to access to the information about the paediatricians involved in the Softis-Ped Project in the 5 European countries involved.
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Paediatric students
From this section it is possible to access to the information about the paediatric students involved in the Softis-Ped Project in the 5 European countries involved.
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Associated Partners
As a result of the exploitation activity a number of associated partners officially joined the project in order to contribute to the improvement of the project impact on their target groups and to ensure the project sustainability by continuing using the project deliverables in the next years.
Events
The Softis-Ped project has been promoted trough conferences and articles.
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Conferences
The Softis-Ped project was presented in a number of events in order to report about the activities carried out and the results achieved
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Training Activity
The training activity 'Soft Skills in Pediatrics' was held at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tirgu Mures (RO)
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Press Review
The Softis-Ped project partnership made contacts with web sites focusing on the fields of paediatrics and education
This section of the Softis-Ped portal provides administrative information for the project contractual partners and for the European Commission and it is password protected.
Training of Lecturers
Homepage > Training > Training of Lecturers
This training package is addressed to lecturers and trainers in the field of paediatrics on how to assist paediatric undergraduate and resident students in developing and consolidating their soft skills for improving the quality of paediatric services.
Communicating with Parents
2.3. Soft Skills
2.3.4 Repetition
To make sure that the parent will understand the information provided first the pediatrician should check what the parents already know about their child’s illness. With knowledgeable parents, the discussion can begin at a higher level although it’s important to check whether their knowledge or understanding is correct. A lot of parents visit sources without review or control, like websites or health magazines. Parents’ comprehension abilities might be influenced by language problems as well as emotional states. Pacing the information, providing it in a logical sequence or breaking it into two or more sessions can result in improved understanding and better information retention. Between two session parents have time to absorb the information and cope with the new situation. Pediatricians should be prepared to patiently repeat information and answer questions. It’s also important to pay attention to how much information the parents want to know: some of them are interested in every little detail of the child’s condition while others simply want a prescription and an assurance that all will be well (Mehta 2008).
After answering parents’ questions, a pediatrician can use a teach-back method to find out whether they understood the instructions. Instead of asking if the parents understand what has been told to them a pediatrician can ask questions about how they will implement the treatment plan, what they plan to tell their spouse or the grandparents about the child’s care and treatment or about the functioning of the child’s medical device.
Audiotapes can serve as effective communication aids although pediatricians still have many concerns using such tapes. Parents can repeatedly listen to the information and can also show them to other family members. Audiotapes are one of the most efficient methods for dissemination of accurate information as “tapes made during outpatient encounters were listened to by parents nearly universally; grandparents listened to them more than half the time (52.8%), 70% were listened to more than once, and one third of parents made a copy to keep for themselves. The tapes were found to be helpful >99% of the time” (Levetown 2008).
After answering parents’ questions, a pediatrician can use a teach-back method to find out whether they understood the instructions. Instead of asking if the parents understand what has been told to them a pediatrician can ask questions about how they will implement the treatment plan, what they plan to tell their spouse or the grandparents about the child’s care and treatment or about the functioning of the child’s medical device.
Audiotapes can serve as effective communication aids although pediatricians still have many concerns using such tapes. Parents can repeatedly listen to the information and can also show them to other family members. Audiotapes are one of the most efficient methods for dissemination of accurate information as “tapes made during outpatient encounters were listened to by parents nearly universally; grandparents listened to them more than half the time (52.8%), 70% were listened to more than once, and one third of parents made a copy to keep for themselves. The tapes were found to be helpful >99% of the time” (Levetown 2008).
Online Resources
- Mehta PN. (2008) Communication Skills – Talking to Parents. Indian Pediatrics, 45, 300-304.Good communication is an art that is so far acquired, developed and improved by experience. It enhances patients’ understanding and adherence to therapy, and has a therapeutic effect. However, it can also be taught, and assessed, by means of structured programs
- Levetown, M., (2008) Communicating With Children and Families: From Everyday Interactions to Skill in Conveying Distressing Information. Pediatrics VOLUME 121 / ISSUE 5This article provides a review of the evidence regarding clinical communication in the pediatric setting, covering the spectrum from outpatient primary care consultation to death notification, and provides practical suggestions to improve communication with patients and families, enabling more effective, efficient, and empathic pediatric health care.
