Communication Skills - Practical

 

 

BP212P : SEC1

Communication Skills (Practical)Elective

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of this course are to:

1. Enhance verbal and non-verbal communication skills in academic, clinical, and professional pharmacy settings.

2. Develop competence in patient counselling, prescription communication, and interprofessional dialogue.

3. Promote empathetic and ethical communication in diverse cultural and patient contexts.

4. Use digital tools and professional formats (e.g., email, reports, posters) for effective communication.

5. Foster confidence, active listening, and clarity in pharmacy-related presentations and conversations.

 

COURSE OUTCOMES (CO):

Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to

1. Demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal communication in clinical, retail, and academic pharmacy contexts.

2. Perform patient counselling and handle real-world pharmacy interactions using role-play and case scenarios.

3. Draft professional emails, prepare patient information leaflets, and create drug labels with clarity and accuracy.

4. Deliver confident oral presentations and communicate complex medical information in a simplified, patient-friendly manner.

5. Apply principles of ethical and culturally sensitive communication in handling patients and professional peers.

 

Detailed Syllabus

 

List of practical

(Perform any 12 Experiments)

1. Introduction to Communication in Pharmacy

 • Types of communication: verbal, non-verbal, written

 • Importance in clinical, academic, and retail pharmacy

2. Listening and Observation Skills Workshop

 • Active listening techniques, barriers to listening

 • Observation of cues: patient posture, tone, compliance

3. Role-play: Communicating with a Patient for Dispensing a Prescription

 • Explanation of dosage, frequency, side effects, and precautions

4. Role-play: Handling Difficult Conversations (e.g., Angry Patient or Confused Elderly)

 • Empathy, patience, tone modulation, de-escalation techniques

5. Written Communication I: Professional Email Writing & Documentation

 • Writing emails to doctors, suppliers, institutions

 • Structure, etiquette, and clarity in pharmacy communications

6. Written Communication II: Preparing Patient Information Leaflets and Drug Labels

 • Use of simple language, drug facts, precautions, icons

 • Creating flyers for common conditions (e.g., diabetes, asthma)

7. Non-verbal Communication Skills

 • Body language, eye contact, gestures, tone of voice

 • Cross-cultural sensitivity in pharmacy communication

8. Presentation Skills I – Basic Techniques

 • Voice projection, clarity, use of visuals

 • Individual practice with simple pharmacy topics

9. Presentation Skills II – Group Presentations

 • Topics: health awareness campaigns, drug education, OTC safety

 • Peer and faculty feedback

10. Patient Counseling Practice (Case-Based)

 • Counseling for chronic illness (e.g., hypertension, diabetes)

 • Role-playing real-life counseling situations

11. Communicating with Healthcare Professionals

 • Case handoff, drug information request, referral writing

 • Using SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) format

12. Mock Interview / Group Discussion Practice

 • Industry/clinical job interview scenarios

 • GD on topics like “Generic vs Branded Medicines”

13. Digital Communication Skills for Pharmacists

 • Creating a simple health blog, social media awareness post

 • Basics of teleconsultation and ePharmacy chat support

14. Ethics and Professionalism in Communication

 • Confidentiality, patient rights, informed consent

 • Role-play ethical dilemmas in pharmacy

15. Assessment & Reflection

 • Final presentation or counseling demo

 • Feedback, self-evaluation, and faculty observation

 

Recommended References (Preferably latest edition):

1. Communication Skills in Pharmacy Practice – E. M. Kelly & S. L. Svarstad, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

2. Developing Communication Skills for Pharmacy – Catherine Langford, Pharmaceutical Press

3. PatientCounselling Guidelines for Pharmacists–WHOIndia, World Health Organization