Written communication— purpose

  • referal, another opinon, adivce

  • always using apporpiate langauge (keep in mind knowledge level of recipient)

  • Health care professional needs this skill to connect patient with another party which can a GP, employers and a statutory body.

  • consent is vital when it comes to sharing patients information (keep privacy legislation via my health record)


other potential aundience

  • patient access

  • other registered health professionals

  • law courts

  • my health record


ethical requirments

  • send records/documents cautiously

  • consider content and organisation


referal letter tips

  • concise -fewer words

  • no abbreviations -leads to innacurate interpretation

  • no clinical specifc language -keep in mind recipient

  • double check grammar

template

  • letterhead

  • date

  • salutation

  • your ddress and number

  • your name and occupation

  • recipients adress and name

  • patients name and DOB

  • content of letter

  • furtther contact

content of letter - what are you seeking?

  • para 1- context, patients presentation/ problem

  • para 2 -relevant examination findings, repsonse to treatment, relevant medical history

  • para 3- request, your management plan.

  • working diagnosis

  • second opinion

constructive feedback

Feedback

What is feedback?

  • Suggestions and comments that help achieve a positive outcome, improve a process or improve behaviour.

  • Provides encouragement, support, correction and direction.

Three components of feedback

  • Affirming: Identifies what someone is doing well.

  • Constructive: Identifies what could be improved.

  • Descriptive: Gives an objective observation without judgement.

Why is constructive feedback important?

  • Enhances and reinforces learning.

  • Develops skills.

  • Supports professional growth.

  • Incorrectly given feedback can negatively affect performance, confidence and motivation.

Effective feedback

  • Timely: Given while the situation is still fresh.

  • Appropriate person: Ideally someone who observed the situation.

  • Purposeful: Has a clear goal of improving performance.

  • Specific: Clearly describes what was observed.

  • Non-judgemental: Focus on behaviour, not personality.

  • Accurate: Based on real, unbiased observations.

  • Suggestions: Gives practical ways to improve.

  • Helpful: Respectful and not embarrassing.

  • Balanced: Includes both strengths and areas for improvement.

  • Concise & understandable: Easy to understand and avoids confusion.

  • Tailored: Appropriate to the person's abilities and needs.

  • Confidential: Given privately to avoid embarrassment.

Receiving feedback

  • See feedback as a “pathway to improve” rather than a sign of failure.

  • Helps develop self-awareness and understanding.

  • Important for professional growth.

  • Helps develop effective communication skills.


Purpose
My letter communicates important information about Maureen to another health professional and requests further assessment and support.

Why I included the information

  • Wrist: Fall + pain/swelling/clicking → possible injury or fracture → further assessment/imaging.

  • Weight loss/lack of appetite: Concern for her overall health and wellbeing.

  • Husband’s death: Relevant context for her wellbeing, without making assumptions or diagnosing her.

  • Limited support/access to healthcare: Important social factors that may affect her care.

  • Support services: Meals on Wheels, falls prevention and social activities provide practical, safety and social support.

What my communication shows

  • Professional

  • Clear and concise

  • Relevant information

  • Respectful and patient-centred

  • Considers the whole person, not just the wrist

Scope of practice
I can identify concerns and recommend further assessment/support, but I should not diagnose a fracture or mental health condition that has not been confirmed.



key

What happened: Maureen fell and injured her wrist.

What am I concerned about: Possible fracture and her overall wellbeing.

Why does it matter: She needs appropriate care and support.

What am I requesting: Further assessment, imaging and support services.

Definitions:
IPC = Inter-professional Communication
• The communication between participating health professionals regarding a
patient (and their community/family).
IPP = Inter-professional Practice
• ‘all members of the health service delivery team participate in the team’s
activities and rely on one another to accomplish common goals and improve
health care delivery.’ (AIPPEN, 2009).



Interprofessional Communication (IPC) / Practice (IPP)

Challenges

  • Different opinions: Professionals may have different views about a patient’s problem or treatment.

  • Disagreement: Can leave the patient feeling unsupported or lead to poorer care.

  • Too many professionals: Overlapping roles can cause confusion about who is responsible.

  • Higher costs: Seeing multiple professionals can increase costs for the patient.

  • Scope overlap: Professionals may have similar roles, making responsibilities unclear.

  • Disagreement about diagnosis/management: Professionals may challenge each other’s decisions.

  • Loss of earnings: Multiple appointments may affect the patient’s work.

  • Governance: Clear responsibility is needed for coordinating and overseeing patient care.

What makes IPP/IPC successful

  • Open to new ideas: Respect different perspectives.

  • Self-awareness & reflection: Recognise your strengths, weaknesses and actions.

  • Accountability: Take responsibility for your role.

  • Know your scope: Understand your profession’s limits.

  • Good communication: Share information clearly with other professionals.

  • Professional humility & resilience: Respect other professionals’ expertise and handle disagreements.

  • Empathy & patient-centred care: Keep the patient’s needs at the centre.

  • Common language: Use clear, appropriate language when communicating.

  • Understand other professions: Know their roles and capabilities.

  • Know when to refer: Recognise when another professional is better suited to the patient’s needs.



This unit has taught me the importance of patient-centred care and how effective communication between patients, their families and other healthcare professionals can influence their treatment and care.

I have also learnt that professional communication means being open to feedback and reflecting on how I communicate with others. This is important for patient-centred care because the way we communicate and word things can affect how patients, their families and other healthcare professionals understand the information. I’ve also learnt that it’s important to speak up if something doesn’t feel right and to learn from mistakes so I can improve the care I provide.

I can apply this knowledge as a student by using these communication skills in my studies and when working with others. Since I’m interested in working in rehabilitation, I think these skills will be especially important because rehabilitation involves working closely with patients and other healthcare professionals.

I’ve learnt that every patient is different, so I need to listen to them, understand their individual needs and consider what is important to them during their recovery. I can also use feedback from my teachers and peers to improve my communication and reflect on what I could do better.

Overall, I think these skills will help me as I continue exploring a career in rehabilitation, because good communication can build trust with patients, support teamwork and keep the patient at the centre of their care.



1. What did the unit teach me?

  • Patient-centred care

  • Interprofessional communication and practice

  • Professional communication, including written communication

  • Giving and receiving feedback

  • Reflection and self-awareness

2. How can I apply this knowledge?

  • Communicate respectfully with patients and consider their individual needs.

  • Work effectively with other health professionals and understand when to refer.

  • Communicate clearly and professionally in written and spoken situations.

  • Give constructive, respectful feedback to improve performance.

  • Reflect on my own communication and identify areas for improvement.

Main idea to remember:

What I learnt → Why it matters → How I can use it in healthcare

That gives you a clear way to answer the question without trying to memorise a long presentation.

This unit has taught me the importance of patient-centred care and how effective communication between patients, their families and other healthcare professionals can influence their treatment and care.

i think that professional communication means being open to feedback and reflecting on how I communicate with others. This is important for patient-centred care because the way we communicate and word things can affect how people understand information. Something that seems clear to us might be interpreted differently by someone else, so I’ve learnt that it’s important to think about how I communicate.

Another important thing I’ve learnt is how important communication is when working with other healthcare professionals. Everyone has their own role and scope of practice, so understanding when to communicate and refer to another professional can help make sure the patient receives appropriate care. I’ve also learnt that feedback is not something to take personally, but something that can help me recognise what I’m doing well and what I can improve.

As student i could apply this knowledge by using these communication skills in my studies and when working with others. Since I’m interested in working in rehab, I think these skills will be especially important because rehab involves working closely with patients and different healthcare professionals.

I’ve learnt that every patient is different, so it’s important to listen to them, understand their individual needs and consider what is important to them during their recovery. For example, a treatment or recovery plan might need to fit around a person’s lifestyle, responsibilities or personal goals.

Overall, I think these skills will help me as I continue exploring my career, thank you


1. Patient-centred care

  • Importance of patient-centred care

  • Communication influences treatment and care

  • Patients, families + healthcare professionals

2. Professional communication

  • Be open to feedback

  • Reflect on how I communicate

  • Wording affects how people understand information

  • People can interpret things differently

  • Speak up if something doesn’t feel right

  • Learn from mistakes

3. Working with healthcare professionals

  • Everyone has their own role and scope

  • Communicate with other professionals

  • Know when to refer

  • Feedback helps me improve

4. Applying it as a student

  • Use communication skills in my studies

  • Work effectively with others

  • Interested in rehabilitation

  • Rehab involves working closely with patients + different healthcare professionals

5. Individual patient needs

  • Every patient is different

  • Listen to the patient

  • Understand their individual needs

  • Consider their lifestyle, responsibilities + goals

  • Recovery needs to work for the individual

6. Overall

  • Build trust

  • Support teamwork

  • Keep the patient at the centre

  • Continue learning and improving

Easy main flow:
Patient-centred care → communication → feedback & reflection → teamwork → rehabilitation → individual needs → better care