Speaker
Description
There are probably few examples of a Core Curriculum in either EMP or Clinical Communication around the world at a level higher than a single institution (though tentative examples are discussed briefly in this presentation), except where students take an internationally recognised exam prior to beginning their course. This at least opens up the possibility of exploring a wide range of options.
This talk covers two main areas. Firstly, what will the role of the doctor be over the professional lifetime of current medical students? In a world of increasing AI, what will doctors be called on to do? And what therefore should we as educators enable them to be competent at? A clear conclusion is that doctors must be trained to interact with patients, and to be sufficiently independent learners to monitor what they (and their technology) do. Secondly, what constraints do we face, and how do we minimise them? Key issues here are the level and source of funding available, the quality of available staff and what training opportunities they have, what curriculum time will be available, and how will the programme be quality controlled within and across institutions? There is, finally, the issue of materials creation and opportunities for sharing and discussing ideas. In this last respect, the role of The European Association of Language in Healthcare, and also of SLC (Specialist Language Courses) are introduced as a potential forum for sharing and presenting experience and materials.
Speaker Biography
Professor John Skelton was a teacher of EFL/ESP between 1973 and 1980, in Spain, UK, and as Director of Studies for The British Council Oman.
From 1981-84 he taught Applied Linguistics at The National University of Singapore, before returning to UK (1984-92) where he was Director firstly of Aston University Language Studies Unit and then Surrey University English Language Institute.
From 1992-2020 he worked at Birmingham University Medical School, where he was Professor of Clinical Communication, designing curricula and leading teaching in this area for undergraduates and qualified doctors and other health professionals. He was also Head of Education Quality for all healthcare courses, responsible to the University and governing bodies (UK General Medical Council etc) for the quality and appropriateness of Birmingham's healthcare programmes.
He has researched widely in spoken and written Medical Communication, and has undertaken dozens of consultations around the world. He is also one of the very few non-clinicians to hold an Honorary Fellowship from the UK Royal College of General Practitioners.
He is currently President of EALTHY, an association for teachers of English for Healthcare, and continues to be interested in requests to undertake overseas consultancy work.