Sell Yourself! - Body Language: Interpretation and Application in Healthcare

Data

Official data in SubjectManager for the following academic year: 2024-2025

Topic

The objective of this course is to impart a profound understanding of metacommunication and non-verbal cues within the context of medical practice. Recognizing that a patient's journey begins before verbal communication ensues, this curriculum delves into the significant impact of body language on interpersonal dynamics in healthcare settings. This course aims to elucidate the nuances of physical gestures and facial expressions and their capacity to establish trust, foster effective doctor-patient relationships, and ultimately influence the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of non-verbal communication and how it can signal compassion, empathy, and confidence, thereby facilitating improved healthcare outcomes. Practical training sessions are integrated throughout the course to enhance students’ self-awareness and non-verbal communication skills, ensuring they are well-prepared to meet the nuanced demands of modern patient care and healthcare innovation.

Lectures

• 1.

  "The Silent Dialogue: Introduction to Metacommunication in Medicine"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 2.

  "Decoding Gestures: Understanding Body Language in Clinical Encounters"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 3.

  "Facial Expressions: The Window to Patient Emotions"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 4.

  "The Power of Posture: Conveying Confidence and Empathy in Healthcare"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 5.

  "The Art of Mirroring: Building Rapport with Patients"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 6.

  "Hand Gestures: Communicating Care Without Words"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 7.

  "Space and Boundaries: The Role of Proxemics in Patient Comfort"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 8.

  "Eye Contact: Engaging and Understanding Patients Non-verbally"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 9.

  "The Subtleties of Touch: Navigating Physical Contact in Medical Practice"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 10.

  "Cultural Variations in Body Language: Global Perspectives in Healthcare"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 11.

  "Non-verbal Cues in Patient Assessment: Reading Beyond Symptoms"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 12.

  "Body Language in Difficult Conversations: Delivering Bad News"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 13.

  "Enhancing Team Communication: Non-verbal Dynamics Among Healthcare Professionals"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 14.

  "Non-verbal Communication in Telemedicine: Challenges and Strategies"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 15.

  "The Future of Non-verbal Communication: Innovations in Health Technology"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 16.

  "Integrating Verbal and Non-verbal Communication: Towards Holistic Patient Care"

  - Szentpéteri József László

Practices

• 1.

  "Interpreting Body Language: A Practical Workshop"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 2.

  "Non-verbal Communication Role-Play: Simulating Patient Interactions"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 3.

  "Self-Awareness Training: Recognizing Your Own Non-verbal Cues"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 4.

  "Feedback and Adaptation: Refining Non-verbal Skills Through Peer Review"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 5.

  "Cultural Competency: Practical Scenarios in Diverse Patient Interactions"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 6.

  "Advanced Empathy: Non-verbal Communication in Sensitive Clinical Situations"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 7.

  "Technology-Enhanced Non-verbal Training: Using VR in Medical Education"

  - Szentpéteri József László
• 8.

  "Capstone Practice: Integrative Role-Play Incorporating Comprehensive Non-verbal Techniques"

  - Szentpéteri József László

Seminars

Reading material

Obligatory literature

None

Literature developed by the Department

Will be provided during the course

Notes

Will be provided during the course

Recommended literature

Joe Navarro (2018): The Dictionary of Body Language: A Field Guide to Human Behavior

Barbara & Allan Pease (2006): The Definitive Book of Body Language: The Hidden Meaning Behind People's Gestures and Expressions

Conditions for acceptance of the semester

The course cannot be started without an uploaded, healthcare-related presentation, which the student will work on during the course.

Mid-term exams

Successful completion of the course requires continuous work. All along during the course, each participant will have to work on their own topic in addition to the centrally released assignments. The evaluation takes into account the degree of individual development, the ability of critical thinking during the semester, and the overall attitude.

Making up for missed classes

None

Exam topics/questions

Course ends up with a mid-term grade, so there is no exam during the exam period.

Examiners

Instructor / tutor of practices and seminars

• Szentpéteri József László