Communication Skills for UPSC CMS: Breaking Bad News, Consent and Patient Counseling

S PIKES Protocol#

Setting: Private, comfortable, no interruptions.
Perception: Ask what they understand.
Invitation: Ask if they want details.
Knowledge: Share information in small chunks.
Emotions: Acknowledge and respond to feelings.
Strategy: Discuss next steps.

Informed Consent#

Elements: Disclosure, Understanding, Voluntariness, Competence, Consent. Written consent for surgery, anesthesia, research. Emergency exception: no consent needed to save life.

Counseling Skills#

Active listening, empathy, non-judgmental. Motivational interviewing for behavior change (smoking, diet).