A European consensus on learning objectives for a core communication curriculum in health care professions

OBJECTIVE: To develop learning objectives for a core communication curriculum for all health care professions and to survey the acceptability and suitability of the curriculum for undergraduate European health care education.

METHODS: Learning objectives for a Health Professions Core Communication Curriculum (HPCCC) in undergraduate education were developed based on international literature and expert knowledge by an international group of communication experts representing different health care professions. A Delphi process technique was used to gather feedback and to provide a consensus from various health care disciplines within Europe.

RESULTS: 121 communication experts from 15 professional fields and 16 European countries participated in the consensus process. The overall acceptance of the core communication curriculum was high. 61 core communication objectives were rated on a five-point scale and found to be relevant for undergraduate education in health care professions. A thematic analysis revealed the benefits of the HPCCC.

CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Based on a broad European expert consensus, the Health Professions Core Communication Curriculum can be used as a guide for teaching communication inter- and multi-professionally in undergraduate education in health care. It can serve for curriculum development and support the goals of the Bologna process.