DYNAMICS OF COMMUNICATION IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY (3 CEUs) Wednesday, April 29, 2009, 6:45 - 9:30 pm (refreshments) Ethan Allen Inn, Danbury, CT Modern health promotion efforts recognize the multidimensional nature of health communication. Laws and standards delineate a responsibility to be ethically and culturally sensitive in our professional roles and in the process of care. Evidence shows that ethical sensitivity relates to better decision-making and patient outcomes. Since culture influences patients’ communication styles, beliefs and attitudes, evidence also shows that culture sensitivity promotes patient rapport, cooperation and compliance. This program will show the importance of communication and provide an understanding of the interdependence of ethics and culture for patient care. Learning Objectives: •Discuss ethical issues of informed consent using case studies. •Identify the ethical/cultural issues to solve a healthcare problem. •Understand the ethical bases for culturally sensitive care. •Identify practice settings that welcome, respect and value people of all cultures, races, genders and ethnic backgrounds. •List steps that ensure diversity is reflected in all activities, including planning, decision-making and delivery of services in the process of care. JoAnn Little, RDH, BS, MA Ed., is a graduate of Broome Community College, Ohio State University, Seton Hall University and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). She holds certificates in Dental Hygiene in New York and Ohio. JoAnn is a former faculty member at UMDNJ. She currently is an educational consultant for curriculum design and development. Her web-based tutorials for educators and her appearances as an invited guest lecturer take her throughout the country. $80.00 C2116