Barry Westling

Hi Evelyn:
Many students, particularly the youger generation have not been trained or raised with even some basic courtesies and manners relating to people in everyday situations, let alone to ill patients in a hospital or medical setting.

Good students pick up on both the importance of and the ability to interact in more approperiate behavior. Some just don't seeem to get it. Unfortunately, many of these students are able to get by academically and enter their professions carrying with them their awful people skills.

More emphasis should be given to these soft skills. I don't know how to do it in a universal way. I only have control over the limited students I have access to.

Regards, Barry

Evelyn Skinner

Yes,alot of people skills.You also have to teach them to go to work and deal with their own BAD day and not upset the patient (snow white syndrome)

Barry Westling

Hi Cindy:
Good examples. We want to be ready for whatever.

Regards, Barry

Cindy Boyce-Adams

I agree. I often have a lot of material- some that I have used and other material that I have not, but at least it is there if I need it. I have not yet had to face a situation where I did not have something to use. I also use different types of material such as PPTs, written stuff, case studies, etc. Just in case the computer does not work, I will have things to do that does not need a computer to accomplish. I have run into that problem one time and never will again!

Barry Westling

Hi Fernando:
Good, well tried people skills (soft skills) can definitely contribute to a better student learning environment.

Regards, Barry

Fernando Martinez Jr.

I agree. So much of our field has to do with people skills. It should be stressed more.

Barry Westling

Hi Laurent:
Planning for the unexpected with Plan-B (and Plan-C) is one of those things that may never be called into action (like a fire extinguisher), but it is very handy shold the need arise.

Regards, Barry