IHC launches new faculty development course, Candid Conversations: Talking with Female Patients about Sexual Health for clinicians from the US and UK
The inaugural faculty development program for Candid Conversations brought together an outstanding group of clinicians from six states and the UK. Held in Miami, Florida, March 22-25, 2012, the program was the first train-the-trainer workshop for IHC’s skills development program on female sexual health. The program was led by Course Director, Monica Broome, MD, FACP, FAACH. Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD co-facilitated.
Participants included six physicians and four nurse practitioners with specialties encompassing women’s health, pelvic surgery, medical/legal issues, university student health, gynecologic oncology, gynecology, academic medical communications and palliative care.
Research shows that health care practitioners consistently underestimate the prevalence and importance of their patients’ sexual concerns. Many clinicians are uncomfortable broaching the topic of sexual health. IHC’s Candid Conversations workshop is designed to enhance clinician’s confidence by building specific communication skills.
Program attendees will be teaching IHC’s Candid Conversations curriculum to a variety of clinicians at their home settings in Illinois, Ohio, Georgia, District of Columbia, New Jersey, Texas and Manchester, UK.
The Candid Conversations workshop is approved for 3.0 hours of ACCME continuing education credits.
Learners described the course as:
“An invaluable experience and opportunity”
“very comprehensive, learner-centered, interactive and informative”
“one of the most valuable programs I have attended”
Program development was made possible by a generous independent educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The grant is also supporting the development of online educational materials for offsite communication skills development.
For information about hosting a Candid Conversations workshop and/or Candid Conversations faculty development program at your organization, please contact Barbara Andrews, Director of Grants and Projects at IHC offices, (tel) 800-800-5907 or email at bandrews@healthcarecomm.org