Medicus International New York and Bentley University will collaborate on the development of a curriculum to train healthcare providers in interpersonal communication skills. Medicus International New York will be working with Helen Meldrum, EdD, Associate Professor of Psychology at Bentley University, to create educational programs to enhance interpersonal communication that can be delivered as in-service presentations in a wide variety of healthcare settings across the country.
"Training in communication skills needs to be a priority in preservice and in-service medical education," Dr. Meldrum notes. "A healthcare provider who lacks strong communication abilities simply cannot provide the best quality care. When good rapport is established, patients feel that the quality of care they are receiving is adequate even if they know their medical prognosis is poor."
"Dr. Meldrum's expertise in communication within healthcare organizations and her research on the compassion that is so central to the relationship between physicians and patients will contribute to educational programs that will be of great benefit to practitioners and, ultimately, their patients," says Don Nelinson, PhD, Senior Vice President and Director of Scientific Services at Medicus International New York. Through a grant given to Bentley University, Medicus International New York is demonstrating its commitment to providing healthcare professionals with the tools they need to meet the needs of those who are facing life-altering medical challenges.
"Bentley University's focus on health and industry is all about advancing the healthcare enterprise by bringing together advanced knowledge from the Arts and Sciences and Business," adds Fred Ledley, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Natural and Applied Sciences at Bentley University. "We are pleased to see Dr. Meldrum's work promulgated widely in the healthcare community."
The partnership between Medicus International New York and Bentley University will culminate in December, when the training program is completed. It will be available for use with healthcare professionals beginning in 2011.
About Medicus International New York
Medicus International New York is a medical communications and education agency based in New York City. Medicus International New York is a division of Publicis Healthcare Communications Group, the world's leading healthcare communications network. Medicus International New York provides extensive support in the areas of client services and content development, including scientific strategy, medical writing, editorial support, creative services, meetings and event planning, and digital strategy. Medicus International New York's scientific and medical writing team is staffed with scientific directors and medical writers, all credentialed at the doctoral level (PhD/MD). Furthermore, numerous staff are active members of the International Society of Medical Publication Professionals and have attained certification as Certified Medical Publications Professionals (CMPP).