What makes a successful doctor-patient relationship?
ACCORDING to Dr Clare Guilding, the Dean of Academic Affairs at Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed), “A central clinical function in building a therapeutic doctorpatient relationship, effective doctor-patient communication lies at the heart and art of medicine. This factor holds a significant role in defining the quality of healthcare delivery. In fact, a breakdown in doctor-patient relationship is the root cause of patient dissatisfaction and complaints.”
A prominent face in this first international branch campus of Newcastle University, UK, Dr Guilding was instrumental in the development of the university’s Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) Clinical Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Prescribing curriculum.
Presently, she manages the delivery of the first two years of the MBBS programme at NUMed, ensuring that the outcomes and standards are the same as those delivered in Newcastle, UK.
“Doctor-patient communication is a major component of the healthcare process. A good doctor-patient relationship can affect the doctor’s job satisfaction and support patients in developing self-confidence, motivation, and a positive view of their health status which, in turn, may influence their health outcome,” she elaborated.
Dr Guilding’s innovations in pharmacology education have gained her national and international recognition through awards from the Association for the Study of Medical Education (ASME), British Pharmacological Society (BPS) and Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT).
At NUMed, she imparts her knowledge through teaching a range of pharmacology, physiology, and neuroscience subjects to MBBS students. “I place a high value on interactivity and clinical fidelity in teaching, and have a keen interest in simulation and inter-professional education,” she said.
Newcastle University’s outcome-based education focuses on three essential domains: Knowledge and Critical Thought, Clinical and Communication Skills, and Professional Behaviour.
Built upon the university’s rich legacy as a top medical school in the UK, NUMed delivers programmes of the same stringent standards.
Learn more about NUMed’sprogrammes at www. newcastle.edu.my.