Postgraduate Medical Education

Dalhousie University

Communication Skills

Postgraduate Medical Education Communication Skills

The Postgraduate Medical Education (PGME) Communication Skills service supports the development of communication competencies across all residency programs at Dalhousie University. The service works collaboratively with residents, faculty, program directors, and educational leaders to enhance communication skills that contribute to safe, patient-centred, compassionate, and collaborative care.

Communication Skills programming aligns with Competence by Design (CBD), the CanMEDS Physician Competency Framework, and Dalhousie University's commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, cultural safety, and lifelong learning.

Leadership

The Communication Skills service is led by Dr. Alison Dixon, Communication Skills Lead for Postgraduate Medical Education and Assistant Professor in the Division of Geriatric Medicine. Drawing on expertise in both medicine and professional communication, Dr. Dixon provides educational leadership in communication skills development, coaching, and remediation for residents across all specialty programs.

Communication Education and Program Support

The Communication Skills service supports residency programs through:

  • Communication curriculum consultation and development
  • Design and facilitation of communication skills workshops
  • Simulation-based communication training
  • Communication education aligned with residency milestones and competencies
  • Support for communication-related educational initiatives across programs

Communication Coaching and Remediation

Individualized coaching is available for residents with identified communication learning needs. Coaching may focus on:

  • Patient- and family-centred communication
  • Difficult and high-stakes conversations
  • Oral case presentations and clinical handovers
  • Written communication
  • Time management and agenda-setting during clinical encounters
  • Professional and interprofessional communication

The coaching process emphasizes reflective practice, psychological safety, and the development of sustainable communication strategies.

Simulation-Based Communication Learning

Communication Skills collaborates with residency programs and educational partners to provide simulation-based learning opportunities that allow residents to practise challenging clinical conversations in a supportive learning environment. Topics may include:

  • Disclosure of adverse events
  • Goals of care discussions
  • End-of-life conversations
  • Managing conflict
  • Responding to discrimination and bias
  • Speaking up for patient safety

Referrals and Access

Residents may be referred for communication coaching by a Program Director or Site Director. Communication Skills also works directly with residency programs to develop and enhance communication education within existing curricula.

For information about communication coaching referrals, please refer to the Communication Skills Referral Criteria and Check List.