Didactic: FACILITATE: An Acting-Based Course to Improve the Communication Skills

This session will start with a brief description of the FACILITATE initiative, including background, learning theories underlying the curriculum, and study results to date. The theme of the session is body language and status and how to become aware of these concepts and consciously practice them to improve patient-centered communication in the emergency department. Three acting exercises will be conducted, with debrief and clinical correlates provided after each exercise. All exercises conducted are cross-linked with specific ACGME Core Competencies for medical residents, with a particular focus on interpersonal and communication skills.

Learning Objectives:

-Discuss the concept of status when interacting with ED patients

-Practice skills of self-awareness and non-verbal communication

-Apply acting skills to improve patient-centered communication