I read with interest the article titled "Communication skills" Indian Pediatrics(1) which has covered most of the salient aspects in an orderly and interesting manner.

One of the best methods to learn communication skills, at all ages is by example. Creating an opportunity to observe a skilled and empathetic clinician communicating with parents either in office or at the bedside is an excellent opportunity to imbibe skills. Introspection at the end of the day on how best we have communicated with parents and children is an ongoing improvement which every clinician with conscience has to observe.

Earmarking separate time to attend to phone calls by needy parents helps to channelise our communication with the parent seated before us without interruption. As we enter the consultation or the hospital ward, we should develop a habit to shut us off all other worries and frustrations that bother us until we complete our work, a job easier said than done by many of us.

Many a times feedback (sometimes unpleasant yet true) comes from the ward nurse or the neighborhood pharmacist about the quality of our communication skills with each parent.

All of us have an opportunity everyday to improve ourselves, only if we desire to do so.

S Nagabhushana,
Department of Pediatrics,
M V J Medical college and Research Hospital,
Hoskote , Bangalore, India.
Email: nagabhushana_s@rediffmail.com