Communication in Emergency Medicine

Widely varying patient needs, a wide provider mix, significant power differentials, and a heightened emotional state all contribute to barriers in communication in the medical field and all of these elements are magnified in an emergency department. Communication in Emergency Medicine highlights key challenges to effective communication in Emergency Medicine that may be experienced by healthcare providers, students, nurses, and even hospital administrators. The text addresses these pitfalls by demonstrating how a mix of foundational communication techniques and leadership skills can be used to successfully overcome barriers in information exchange highlighted by real-life clinical scenarios with an emphasis on avoidable pitfalls. Chapters explore principles of communication, patient and family interactions, and communications within and outside of the healthcare system, rounding off with a number of case studies. The approach of utilizing the environment of an emergency department with high stakes conflicts faced every day by medical professionals distinguishes Communication in Emergency Medicine as an ideal resource for Emergency Medicine providers, with lessons which can also be applied in many other settings as well.

Maria E. Moreira, MD is the Medical Director of Continuing Education & Simulation at Denver Health, and an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Moreira received her medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed her Emergency Medicine Residency at Denver Health Medical Center. From 2010 to 2018, she served as the Program Director of the Denver Health Residency in Emergency Medicine. She is an active member of CORD (Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors) serving on multiple committees and is currently serving as President Elect on the CORD Board of Directors. Additionally, she is the Section Editor for Adult Trauma for UpToDate and one of the editors for Emergency Medicine Secrets. Andrew J. French, MD is the Chief Medical Officer for St. Anthony's North Health Campus, part of Centura Health, an 18-hospital health care system in Colorado and Kansas. Dr. French received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston Texas and completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Denver Health Medical Center. Before transitioning into the role of Chief Medical Officer, he served as the Medical Director of the Adult Emergency Department at Denver Health Medical Center, a major inner-city Level I trauma center. Dr. French has also served as the President for the Colorado Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians and has authored multiple book chapters and articles.