Communication for the Intensive Care Specialist: Planning for

Communication skills are vital in all areas of medical practice, and none more so than the highly charged arena of the Intensive Care Unit. Intensive Care specialists are frequently called upon to communicate and negotiate with patients, their families and surrogates, their physician, surgeon or oncologist and a wide range of medical personnel including nursing staff and junior doctors. Recognising this, the Australian and New Zealand Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine assesses the communication skills of all candidates undertaking the Fellowship examination. Medical decisions should be based on clear ethical principles, thoughtful analysis of situations and the formulation of appropriate strategies. 'Communication of the Intensive Care Specialist' explains the need for an understanding of ethics, introduces the fundamental principles of communication, and guides the reader through a range of Case Studies which cover many of the situations which may confront the ICU specialist. Written primarily for Intensive Care trainees to help them improve their skills and to prepare for the Final Fellowship examination, this book is an invaluable resource for all junior doctors, and for those responsible for their training.