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Communication in Medical and Healthcare Interactions 

Monday 27 - Wednesday 29 March 2023

University of York, UK

Course Leader: Merran Toerien 

We are offering a three day in-person short course in researching medical and healthcare interactions, hosted and organised by the Centre for Advanced Studies in Language and Communication at the University of York.

The course is designed to benefit those beginning or in the early stages of research into medical, clinical and healthcare interactions; it is also relevant for healthcare professionals interested in communication.

Course participants will:

  • Develop their ability to apply the methods of Conversation Analysis (CA) to medical and healthcare interactions.
  • Gain hands-on experience of working with real data recorded in a variety of healthcare settings.
  • Better understand how they might use CA in their own research.
  • Have a chance to connect, and exchange ideas, with colleagues involved in CA research.

Prior experience of CA will be a real advantage, but is not a prerequisite. Whist it is not possible to learn CA from scratch in just three days, the course is intended to equip participants with practical analytic skills, applicable to future work.

Course overview

The course will take place at the University of York campus on Monday 27 - Wednesday 29 March 2023. The course will commence at 10am on Monday 27 March and finish at 4pm on Wednesday 29 March. 

The course will include lectures on a range of integrated topics, directed exercises, as well as practical hands-on sessions giving participants experience in analysing data, using the perspective and methods of Conversation Analysis (CA).

Practical sessions will be focused on applying CA’s methodology, not only in the detailed analysis of particular medical/health care interactions but also in working on collections of significant patterns to be found in medical interactions. 

The data used throughout will be real-life, authentic medical interactions – based on the considerable experience each of us has had working in a range of divers medical settings (these include primary care, oncology, neurology, seizure clinics, memory clinics, maternity units, medical helplines).

Our research has focused on aspects of the effectiveness of communication, on patient-centred medicine and patient choice and the role of communication in diagnosis. We will draw on our own datasets and research findings across the practical elements of this workshop.

Our aim is to assist participants in developing research skills, through enhancing their understanding of CA’s methodology, and their ability to apply CA in their investigations of medical interactions.  

Places are limited and early registration is advised, don't miss out, book your place today!

Tutors

Paul Drew, is a Professor in the Department of Language and Linguistic Science, has considerable experience of teaching CA at introductory and advanced levels, both in conventional courses and through workshops, worldwide. His recent research in medical communication includes projects on the delivery of NHS’s IAPT programme of psychological therapy, conversations between doctors and parents in neonatal critical care, and the language used in (US) medical records.

Clare Jackson is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology.  Her research covers both basic CA – particularly practices for referring to persons – and applied CA – particularly feminist issues and healthcare.  She is currently working on an NIHR funded project examining decisional practices between women, birth partners and practitioners in midwife-led intrapartum care. 

Danielle Jones is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Applied Dementia Studies at the University of Bradford. Her research includes projects on everyday family interactions involving a person living with dementia as well as medical communication, during the assessment and diagnosis of dementia. She uses conversation analytic methods and findings to teach health and social care professionals how to enhance their dementia care practice.

Merran Toerien is a Reader in the Department of Sociology. She has expertise in the application of conversation analysis to communication in institutional settings, with a particular interest in patient choice.  She has extensive experience of teaching CA at undergraduate and graduate levels, and has run workshops in South Africa, Brazil, China, the Netherlands and the UK.

Costs and how to book

The cost for this three-day course is:

Standard rate:

  • £550

Postgraduate rate:

  • £330 - use promo code CMHIPG40

Prices are exempt of VAT.

The rate includes course materials, a Certificate of Attendance, lunches, tea and coffee for the three days, and one dinner together on the 28 March - the evening before the final day.

Places are limited and early registration is advised, don't miss out, book your place today!

Registration is done online by Credit/Debit Card for instant payment and a guaranteed secured place on the course (please note the University of York does not accept American Express cards).

Accommodation

The rate does not include accomodation. The University of York offers bed and breakfast accommodation on campus at reasonable rates. This can be booked through York Conferences. Information about accommodation in York city centre, which is 15 minutes from campus, is available from Visit York.

For further information please contact the team.

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