Unraveling postgraduate communication learning: from transfer to transformative learning

Poor doctor-patient communication is a global concern. Much effort and finances are invested in communication skills training in medical schools around the world with only marginal effects on clinical communication in daily practice. This thesis addresses the problem from an educational view-point. It analyses why the current forms of training do not establish enough transfer of learned skills from training to daily practice. Moreover it provides insight in the learning process itself. It appears that residents/clinicians learn and improve their communication along five phases: confrontation, becoming aware, seeking alternatives, personalisation and internalisation & integration. Van den Eertwegh provides evidence-based recommendations that lead to more effective forms of training and learning resulting in more awareness and better integration of doctor-patient communication in the daily work of the busy physician.