07 October 2024
Prof Alexia Papageorgiou, Dr Panagiota Andreou, and Ms Maria Perdikogianni from the Medical School’s Clinical Communication Skills team participated in the International Conference on Communication in Healthcare, held from 9 to 13 September 2024 in Zaragoza, Spain. The conference brought together healthcare professionals and researchers from around the world.
The Medical School team participated in several significant presentations at the conference. In a symposium on healthcare communication research, Prof Papageorgiou was joined by colleagues from across Europe. Together, they explored evidence-based methods on how healthcare professionals can be taught to cultivate and apply empathy in their practice — a critical component of patient-centred care.
In an oral presentation, Maria Perdikogianni explored the use of self-reflective practices and quizzes, as tools to assess and develop communication skills among medical students. Her research emphasised the importance of reflective learning in shaping future healthcare practitioners capable of effective patient interactions.
Dr Panagiota Andreou, serving as a member of the conference planning committee, played a crucial role in the proceedings of the ICCH2024 conference.
The team also made an impact with two poster presentations. The first, authored by P. Andreou, C. Constantinou, A. Papageorgiou, I. Christoforou, and E. Kampriani, focused on a training programme designed to promote diversity, equality, and inclusive communication in the workplace. The second, by K. Savvoulidou, A. Papageorgiou, V. Folia, and E. Kapreli, highlighted a cross-sectional study on Greek physiotherapists. This research examined how motivational interviewing and shared decision-making can be integrated into chronic musculoskeletal rehabilitation, offering a fresh perspective on patient engagement in physiotherapy.
One of the key highlights of the conference was the recognition of Prof Papageorgiou, who was awarded a Fellowship by the International Association for Communication in Healthcare. This award acknowledged her efforts to further the organisation’s mission of improving healthcare communication worldwide.
Prof Papageorgiou, stated: ‘The mission of EACH—to foster an academic and practical professional community for those committed to improving healthcare communication—is one that resonates deeply with me. In our roles as researchers, educators, practitioners, and policymakers, we have the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the interactions between healthcare providers, patients, and their families. This fellowship is not just an acknowledgment of past contributions, but also an encouragement to continue striving for excellence in this vital field’.