Target audiences
- Naturopaths and medical herbalists
Welcome to the Interprofessional Communications Course – Continuing Education for Naturopaths*
Overview
The overarching objective of this online training in interprofessional communication is to equip naturopaths* with the background knowledge, framework, and skills for writing formal letters to medical doctors.
*Whilst the course has been designed by naturopaths for naturopaths, many of the principles have broader applications and the course is open to all types of Complementary Medicine – Health Care Practitioners (CM-HCP).
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to
- Explain the standard ISBAR structure used by health professionals in health communication
- Apply ISBAR structure to written communication
- Differentiate concise and effective written information for integrated patient care
- Construct effective written requests for medical investigations
- Support safe complementary medicine health care practice by effectively obtaining medical review of high-risk clinical presentations (red flags).
Structure of module
Participants will be provided with selected readings on communicating health information and interprofessional communication prior to listening to a series of five lecturettes.
Each lecturette will be followed by a prescribed practice exercise and a multi-choice quiz (in which you have three chances to pass).
The introductory lecturette will be followed by a ‘reflective’ exercise. Lecturettes 2 – 4 focus on the three types of letters that a naturopath may be involved in writing. These will be followed by a practice exercise that involves writing a letter in response to a given scenario. These practice exercises, which are not assessed, are an essential part of the course.
The final lecture will summarise some of the key points covered and offer an opportunity for participants to provide feedback.
Course duration
Approximately 6-8 hours in total.
Guiding Principles
Please access and read through the Interprofessional Communications Guiding Principles here.
Acknowledgments
This course was developed by Professor Stephen Myers and Dr Joanna Harnett from the work of the AIMA Interprofessional Communications Working Group. Further learning materials have been developed by Dr Susan Arentz.
AIMA thanks the extraordinary work of the AIMA Interprofessional Communications Working Group led by Associate Professor Jennifer Hunter. Members of the group (in alphabetical order) are: Brian Callan, Prof Marc Cohen, Dr Kylie Dodsworth, Dr Caroline Ee, Amy Forth, Louise Furney, Elysia Humphries, Dr Joanna Harnett, Dr Paulette Maroun, Teresa Mitchell-Paterson, Dr Paul Orrock, Amy Tyler. We also extend thanks to Professor Myers, Dr Harnett and Dr Arentz.
