What went well--in New Zealand!

We got a nice email from a .nz address! Here's something that went well for this app user: asking "if your wife could share in this discussion...?" Our comment: the idea of the patient 'sharing' in the discussion is a great way to describe participation in decision making that is collaborative and socially connected--feels like it lowers the pressure for a surrogate decision maker to know exactly what their loved one would have wanted. A nice touch, Fred--and thanks for reaching out from your side of the globe!

Another shining star!

Here's what another Vital Talk app user told us: "When I asked what [my patient] understood...she ended in tears as she got to now--showing me that she knew things were not going well." My comment: this is a great example of how asking what a patient understands--with openness and kindess--can shift the entire direction of your encounter. Nice work, Robyn! 

Vital Talk app users rock!

Thanks for the terrific feedback on our app! For those wondering about android: we just had enough funding for iOS--but we're interested... And for those wondering if the app makes a difference: our last 'what went well' was from a user who tried acknowledging a patient's worry--and said it was a 'mini-breakthrough'--nice!

Why an iPhone app through VitalTalk?

Those of you who know our work may be wondering why we've started Vital Talk. Here's why. First reason: when we started using the term Oncotalk, we didn't realize that another cancer nonprofit had trademarked the term. They graciously have allowed us to continue using Oncotalk on our website, in exchange for not launching new projects under that term. Second reason: i couldn't put the iPhone app on the iTunes store through the University of Washington--they wanted me to license the app to a company.

So we've created Vital Talk as a nonprofit to disseminate our work. Our existing published work, including written materials and videos, will continue to be available freely on the web. We distribute it with a Creative Commons license that allows any of you to use it with attribution, edit it so that it works better for your particular use, and remix it--our goal is to stimulate innovation! (Note that the Creative Commons license does not allow use for a commercial purpose.) We're charging for the iPhone app to cover our costs (user experience design, programming, etc). 

We're not building a business--we're trying to build a tribe that changes the culture. 

"What went well" for a VitalTalk app user

Here's what Ann did that we want to showcase: "Honest and genuine demeanor on my part and recognition of the fatigue of a patient and family who had been seeing doctors since 7." My comment: often i emphasize tracking emotion, but for noticing fatigue is right in the same vein--incredibly valuable. Terrific work, Ann!

You can improve your communication skills using our iPhone app, and submit your 'what went well' when you debrief yourself in the app. Spread your learning and change the culture.

The VitalTalk iPhone app is live!

This is the first iPhone app designed to improve the communication skills for clinicians who talk to patients about serious news. It's based on 5 simple steps that spell "GUIDE" because that's what giving bad news about now--in the age of communication skills 2.0, clinicians need to do more than just disclose. What patients tell us, in a number of studies, is that they want the clinician to point them in the right direction. And a new study by Trevino shows in a new way that communication matters: specifically, therapeutic alliance was associated with less grief and greater willingness to adhere to treatment.

Search for "Vital Talk" (two words)--and tell us what you think!
Or click here.

The VitalTalk app home screen: first look

What's different about the VitalTalk app? 
It's designed for point-of-care, just-in-time learning that is based on a deliberate practice model. If you haven't heard of deliberate practice, it's how experts get better at what they do--they break down the complex task into small bits, and focus on one bit at a time. That's what our app does. So you'll notice a 'prepare me' button--that enables you to focus on one bit. You'll also notice a 'debrief me' button--that enables you to set a reminder (that appears on your iPhone screen) to think back on what happened, debrief yourself, troubleshoot. We hope you'll try it out--it's a new learning platform for communication skills.

The VitalTalk app will be in the iTunes store very soon--we'll keep you posted here!