How to navigate difficult conversations in general practice

Join this 2-part workshop to learn practical skills and approaches for navigating difficult conversations in general practice.

Some conversations or negotiations between patients and medical practitioners can be complicated and difficult to approach. Framing these often requires deep reflection and consideration of the potential impacts on the people involved and their families. 

Common examples of difficult conversations could be delivering a serious diagnosis, end-of-life care, breaking bad news, discussing addiction or substance abuse, mental health concerns, sensitive family issues, financial constraints, and so on.  

This 3-hour workshop will be delivered as a pair of 1.5-hour sessions across consecutive weeks. It has been customised for GPs and practice nurses and will explore the context of 'difficult conversation' situations and the desired outcomes. 

The workshop will consider the skills and qualities required to enter into such conversations from a partnership perspective. It provides practical opportunities to practice and reflect on relevant skills, tools and approaches. 

Attendance at both sessions is required. By registering, you agree to do so. 

• Session 1: Thursday, 30 November 2023, 6:30pm - 8pm 
• Session 2: Thursday, 7 December 2023, 6:30pm - 8pm 

Links to join the sessions will be sent by the training provider prior to each session. 

These sessions are being delivered as part of the Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care program. Visit our web page for more information.  

Facilitators

Dr Nathalie Martinek currently works at the Centre for Community Child Health at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) as a Senior Project Officer.  

Originally from Canada, Nathalie transitioned from cancer research to focus on group dynamics and relationship impact on human development in Australia.  

Her work at the MCRI focuses on in-person and online group facilitation, quality improvement, and supporting communities to implement community-centred interventions that enhance wellbeing and positive outcomes for families, practitioners and services.

Donna Anderson is also a Senior Project Officer at the Centre for Community Child Health at MCRI.  

Donna is a highly qualified health professional with diplomas in children’s services, community services and health management. Her diverse experiences working as a practitioner, in management roles, and teaching has equipped her with a unique understanding of child, family and professional needs within early childhood. 

As an accomplished facilitator, Donna has been specialising in family partnership training since 2005. She is accredited as a family partnership model trainer and supervisor. She also leads training programs in small group facilitation, having difficult conversations, engaging families, working in partnership, and reflective practice. 

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Describe the factors that influence difficult conversations.
• Identify the barriers and enablers to having difficult conversations with patients and families.
• Apply the interpersonal skills and qualities that enable positive outcomes to difficult conversations.

By registering for this event, you agree for your name and email address to be shared with the training provider for the purpose of conducting the event. Please visit nwmphn.org.au/privacy-policy to view our privacy policy.