Health & Human Services, Enrichment, and Business and Management Enrichment Health and Human Services Business & Management

Difficult Conversations: Providers, Patients and Families

Healthcare providers are often faced with clinical encounters that require therapeutic communication with patients about subjects that are difficult to discuss: informing patients and families of a serious diagnosis; issues related to patient compliance of recommended treatment; and sensitive topics including sexual issues, obesity, and conversations regarding a patient's spiritual framework. In this workshop, we will:

  • Identify the most current research related to patient-provider communications
  • Explore clinical encounters that are difficult in your particular practice area
  • Practice communication skills in a variety of clinical scenarios
  • Learn from participants in different disciplines about specific patient populations

Participants will be encouraged to discuss the situations they find most challenging in their own practice.

Valerie Hart, Ed.D., APRN, BC, is associate professor of nursing at USM, where she teaches graduate courses in the advanced-practice psychiatric nursing concentration. She has maintained a private practice since 1980 and is past president of the Maine Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses Association.


Wednesday, October 28, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Registration has ended. Please browse courses for future offerings of this course.

$135 (6 contact hours/ 0.6 CEUs)