Effective communication skills are essential when caring for pediatric patients in the ED. How would you describe your communication skills?
Before your Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellowship interviews, you need to be aware of the role communication plays in the success of the entire medical team in that setting. Patient-centered communication is vital for advanced fellows, and your interviewers want to know that you are a great communicator. They want to hear that you have strong verbal and written communication skills when communicating with patients, faculty, colleagues, and your patient care team.
Before your interview, think about your communication strengths. Come to your interview prepared to discuss what makes you great at communicating with patients, colleagues, and support staff. More importantly, explain why solid communication skills are vital for any fellow and physician.
"My interpersonal communication skills focus on teamwork, education, and compassion. I treat every conversation with the utmost respect, no matter the nature of the communication. As a Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellow, I know that my colleagues and care team within the ED will also rely on me to be a leader. When communicating as a leader, I am thorough, clear, and respectful. I don't shy away from difficult conversations. I also praise my team members and encourage them with my communication style."
