"A new era in UK medicine", doctors to get training in communication skills

A new educational programme which has been launched in the UK will encourage trainee doctors to boost their communication skills. A two-year curriculum covering the whole UK will include the need for trainees to demonstrate they can effectively communicate with patients and other doctors and are able to work as a team.

A major part of the programme will be devoted to patient safety in order to ensure doctors are able to spot when a patient's condition might start to rapidly deteriorate. The foundation programme will replace the current final year of basic medical education the Pre-Registration House Officer year - and the first year following qualification, as a Senior House Officer. It will mean trainees will be given experience in a wide range of specialities including placements in primary care and smaller specialities which are not normally available at this stage of training.

Each post will have a dedicated clinical supervisor and each trainee will be monitored by an educational supervisor.

The foundation programme has been piloted by more than 1,200 trainee doctors in England and 500 trainers have already been taught to use the assessment tools included in the curriculum.

Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson says the new curriculum marks "a new era in UK medicine" and for the first time, doctors will have the opportunity to explore a range of career options, while ensuring their acute clinical and professional skills are secure and robust.