Teaching communication skills : an Australian optometry program's new course

After a review of the literature, the authors describe the experience of developing and teaching a new communication skills course at Flinders University in South Australia. A follow-up survey indicated that optometry students fully embraced the course and reported that their communication skills had been enhanced in 20 specific domains. The specific skills/tasks for which the most improvement was reported included the ability to accurately reflect feelings and content back to the other person, allowing time for silence, being more self-aware when communicating, and relating effectively with a person who is emotionally distressed.