Introduction
FAQ
About language
Key topics

  Improving accent
    - Differences in sounds:
      Pronunciation
    - Practise: Pronunciation
    - The importance of
      emphasis
    - Practise: Emphasis

  Improving register
    - Avoiding medical jargon
    - Practise: Avoiding
      medical jargon
    - Flexibility: Matching your
      English to your patient
    - Practise: Language
      Flexibility

  Improving fluency
    - Rhythms
    - Practise: Listening to the
      rhythms
    - Language conventions
    - Practise: Conventions

  Improving engagement
    - Understanding and using
      Australian slang
    - Practise: Australian slang
    - Audibility
    - Practise: Audibility

Strategies for improvement
Resources
Evaluation
About the authors

Communication and Language Module

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Improving engagement

ESTIMATED TIME: 30 minutes

What does engaging your patient mean? It means being able to have a meaningful exchange with the patient by being able to understand them and use similar language. Coming to grips with Australian slang will help you to understand the world-view and cultural identity of your patients, and will help you to put them at ease.

'Engagement' also covers things like audibility, or how loudly you speak. Effective communication removes as many barriers to message engagement as possible. You need to project your voice clearly to your patients, irrespective of the topic you are discussing.

In this section we draw your attention to just two aspects of the many components of engagement.

This module contains:

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