HLTH 1180 Healthcare Communication Skills

Year
Year 1
Semester
First Semester
Credit
3
Program Description

Develop professional verbal and written communication techniques for interacting with patients and colleagues.

About the course

Effective communication is at the heart of healthcare. In this course, you will develop the professional verbal and written communication techniques needed for interacting with patients and colleagues in a clinical or administrative setting. You will learn how to convey sensitive information clearly, listen actively, and maintain professional boundaries in every interaction.

The course covers the fundamentals of patient-centred communication, including de-escalation strategies, cultural sensitivity, and adapting your communication style for diverse populations. You will also practice drafting professional medical correspondence, such as referral letters, patient summaries, and inter-departmental emails, ensuring clarity and accuracy in all written work.

Who takes this course

This course is a required component for students in the Medical Office Administration program. It is designed to prepare you for the administrative and patient-facing responsibilities you will encounter in a medical office environment.

Credits: 3 · Hours: 45

Prerequisites

None

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate active listening and empathy when speaking with patients.
  • Draft clear and professional medical correspondence and emails.
  • Apply de-escalation techniques in difficult patient interactions.
  • Collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
  • Adapt communication styles for diverse patient populations.

Evaluation

Component Weight (%)
Participation and role-play exercises 20
Written correspondence portfolio 30
Mid-term communication assessment 25
Final patient interaction simulation 25