The resources on this page describe and demonstrate approaches to running online communication skills teaching sessions for health professional learners.  

These resources use the Agenda Led Outcomes-based Assessment (ALOBA) approach to experiential communication skills teaching sessions and Zoom as the online platform. They aim to help teachers of healthcare communication, simulated patients, and learners consider the challenges and potential adaptations for online communication skills teaching during the pandemic and beyond. Plus many of the tips can be adapted to other experiential teaching and online formats.

GUIDES

Guides for delivering online communication skills teaching:

VIDEO CLIPS

Click below to see video clips demonstrating components of an online communication skills teaching session.

Exploring communication skills theory using slide share and breakout rooms.

 

Setting the scene, exploring learners' agendas, and assigning observation tasks.

Running role play, learner perspective and agenda refinements, feedback and alternative approaches, and re-rehearsal.

Example of using the same case several times in a session by having next learner start where last learner left off.

Generalizing learning concepts and using chat function to collect learner takeaway points.

Thanks to the facilitator and medical students who participated in making this video.  These examples are not intended to represent 'perfect practice' or the single best way to deliver an online session, but simply give the viewers an illustration of learning points in the guides and a glimpse into what an online session might look like.  

Note: some learners were asked to demonstrate less than effective communication skills for benefit of the video.

These resources were developed by Sandra Winterburn, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia & Marcy Rosenbaum, University Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  Thanks to Jane Miller, University of Iowa & Katie Ellis, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, for their input.

If you have any feedback and additional tips for online teaching, we would welcome hearing from you at marcy-rosenbaum@uiowa.edu