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Writeup on Open Disclosure

Participants at the inaugural “Open Communication Train-the-Trainer Course”

Dr Tai Hwei Yee (Deputy CQO, NHG - one of the trainees) rehearsing a slide presentation in front of a group of audience

Open Disclosure is defined as open communication of incidents that result in harm to a patient while receiving health care. By being open to our patients and taking actions to prevent the recurrence of an adverse event, the establishment of an Open Disclosure framework will help to improve healthcare safety in our hospitals.

The inaugural “Open Communication Train-the-Trainer Course” by the Cognitive Institute was held from 8 – 12 September 2008. The objective of this course is to train a core group of our senior staff in delivering Communication Skills Training, who will then help to train the critical mass in our hospitals. With the implementation of the Open Disclosure Policy in hospitals, it is crucial that staff (who have contacts with patients) are given some form of communication skills training which enables them to communicate effectively with patients when there is an adverse event.

Excellent feedback was received from the trainees:

“I really enjoyed the course - it was interactive and engaging; it was different from other courses that I have attended in that we were given lots of practical advice and useful tips on how to conduct an effective workshop. The trainers were excellent and presented the course content in a clear and stimulating manner.”
- Dr Jackie Tan, Head, General Medicine I, TTSH

"Open communication may seem to be straightforward, but it is actually a challenging skill. One of the lessons I learnt from this course is - there is no such thing as "too much listening" to the patient/family."
- Ms Lee Leng Noey, ADON, Nursing, TTSH

“Excellent course which was well conducted and extremely pertinent in the light of present day medical practice. It equips the participants with the key skills in open communication which are practical and easy to adopt.”
- Dr Dean Koh, Consultant, Surgery, NUH