News

Breaking bad news is a challenging task for healthcare professionals and there are common mistakes that they may unintentionally make during this process. It’s important to approach this task with sensitivity and empathy. Below are six mistakes that healthcare professionals may make when delivering bad news: Lack of Preparation: Mistake: Failing to adequately prepare for the conversation. Why it’s a problem: Lack of preparation can result in unclear or incomplete information being conveyed, increasing patient and family distress. Using Medical Jargon: Mistake: Using complex medical terminology that patients and their families may not understand. Why it’s a problem: Medical jargon can create confusion and anxiety, hindering effective communication. Clear and simple language should be used to ensure understanding. Rushing the Conversation: Mistake: Delivering the news quickly without allowing time for the patient and family to process the information. Why it’s a problem: Rushing can lead to misunderstanding and emotional overwhelm. Patients and families need time to absorb the news, ask questions, and express their feelings. Lack of Empathy and Emotional Support: Mistake: Failing to express empathy or provide emotional support during the conversation. Why it’s a problem: Patients and their families often need reassurance, empathy, and support when receiving bad […]

In the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, medical leaders are at the forefront, steering organisations through challenges that demand strategic thinking, resilience, and innovation. This blog delves into the multifaceted challenges faced by medical leaders, highlighting the complexities inherent in their roles and the ways in which they navigate these hurdles to ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care. Healthcare System Complexity: The intricate web of healthcare systems, comprising regulatory frameworks, reimbursement structures, and diverse stakeholders, poses a significant challenge for medical leaders. Navigating this complexity requires an understanding of policy changes, effective resource allocation and streamlined operational processes. Rapid Technological Advancements: While technology promises ground breaking advancements, medical leaders must grapple with the challenges of integrating new technologies into existing workflows, ensuring data security and equipping healthcare professionals with the skills to leverage these innovations effectively. Financial Pressures: Balancing fiscal responsibility with the imperative to provide optimal patient care is an ongoing challenge. Medical leaders face the task of managing budgets, adapting to changing reimbursement models, and devising financial strategies that sustain the long-term viability of healthcare institutions. Workforce Shortages and Burnout: The healthcare workforce shortage and the pervasive issue of burnout demand the attention of medical leaders. Strategies for workforce […]

Generation Leader, the only leadership course provider certified by the 3 leading accreditors, announces the launch of 5 new course offerings. The courses are highly structured, fully online and completed in 6 weeks. Learners can study at times convenient to them and are given instant access to a dedicated platform. Within each course, assessments are multiple choice and can be re-taken if required. The content is created by the prestigious MIT Sloan Management Review and features masterclasses by Generation Leader. All learners will earn industry required Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits and a Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Certificate of Recognition.   This is the most exclusive and cost-effective way for healthcare professionals to develop essential skills to get ahead in their careers. All courses include Chartered Management Institute Affiliate membership for 1 year and a digital badge to share on LinkedIn for the purpose of enhancing a resume. These courses have been created by current doctors, specifically for healthcare professionals. Learners can develop the skills every healthcare organisation needs and looks for, including; relationship building, agility and adaptability, innovation & creativity, motivating & inspiring, decision-making, conflict management & resolution, negotiation and critical thinking. Created for Allied Health Professionals, Doctors, Nurses and […]

Arguments are inevitable in our personal and professional lives and we are all faced with situations that require balanced reasoning to resolve. Knowing how to argue effectively is  a cognitive skill that is important to develop. Below are a few tips for arguing effectively: – Speak clearly and seek clarification if you haven’t understood something. Don’t make assumptions or argue further about something you think you heard – Focus on one argument at a time, try not to bring up past issues or grievances  – Try to stay calm. Don’t raise your voice or point your finger. Take a breath, take a few seconds and think about what you want to say –  Don’t use sarcasm – Try to sit down and avoid standing over the other person, body language is important, it has the ability to diffuse or aggravate a situation. – Listen actively and patiently. Don’t talk over the other person – Take responsibility for yourself and your feelings. Don’t criticise the act or what was done, instead focus on your feelings. Instead of “ you have”, say; “I feel” – If the argument is escalating and attempts to resolve are not working, take a break and agree […]

Ward rounds are often undervalued, considering that they represent the patient and medical team interface. Ward rounds give us the opportunity to excel in our management plans in order to move the patient’s care forward. However ordinary ward rounds might be regarded, they involve highly complex decision making and require the utilisation of extremely skilful communication skills. Nonetheless, there are certain issues that are frequently experienced which impact the efficiency of the ward rounds with the potential to influence patient safety:  Common issues encountered during ward rounds Medical team Interruptions by the bleep/pager influencing the clinical examinations and decision making. Registrars being asked to leave the ward round if they are on -call to focus on other acute medical/ surgical duties. Consultants running late due to delays in clinic or in theatres and thereby starting the ward rounds late in the afternoon which will impact the time that is left for junior doctors to carry out post round jobs. Charge nurse and nurse at bedside not present to inform the medical team of issues that occurred overnight. Patients on outlier wards will usually be seen last on the ward round.  Patient notes Illegible handwriting in patient notes, loose documents in […]