PHAR1605

Communication Skills (CS1) Workshop Series

Pre-CS1 activity

A good communicator
Think about all the people you know . . . teachers, pharmacists, doctors, family
members, religious leaders . . . Choose one from all of these that you think exemplifies
a good communicator. Visualise them talking to you and then complete the following
table:
Write his/her name or job or relationship to you here:

My good communicator:

Mother

My good communicator
Looks like this:
Consider, for example:
How does s/he hold
him/herself?

Brown eyes Dark Hair Thin Eye brows.

Always has a happy, cheerful and positive disposition

What does his/her face look

like? eyes, eyebrows, mouth

Any gestures?

What is s/he wearing?

Usually wears black trousers and a casual smart top.

Sounds like this:

Consider, for example:
What does s/he sound like?

What sort of language/words

does s/he use?

What about his/her tone?

Has a gentle soft tone, very motherly and calming.

Speaks English, complex lexical choice, with a thorough
understanding of scientific jargon.

I feel like this when I

hear them speak/talk to
them

How do you feel when this

person talks to you?

Very calm, relaxed and comfortable. Her tone, pitch and

body language is very inviting and has an infectious
positive character.

PHAR1605

Communication Skills (CS1) Workshop Series

Pre-CS1 activity

Faces
Look at each of these 9 faces. What do you think each one is feeling? Write it in the
boxes underneath.

What do these faces say to me . . .

Theyre not happy nor

impressed with what theyre
hearing/seeing

Theyre pretending to be
satisfied. Almost portraying
themselves to be happy.

Unhappy and
disheartened. As if
theyve received news
that they werent
expecting.
Disappointed.

Angry and frustrated.

Confused/baffled about
the information they
have received.

As if theyre happy that

something bad is happening
to another person. Content
at something negative
occurring. Crafty and sly.

Confused, as if theyve
been told information
that they do not
understand.

Received news which has

shocked them. Surprised in a
negative way.

Bored of the repetition. Or

tired of hearing something
being repeated to them.

PHAR1605

Communication Skills (CS1) Workshop Series

Pre-CS1 activity

Me as a communicator - reflect
To help you understand a bit about yourself as a communicator, complete the
following table. Take some time over this activity.
In my first week at uni, how did
I feel meeting other students?
Speaking and meeting new people from different
backgrounds and areas was very easy to me. I am a
confident individual and enjoy meeting new people.

What did I find easy? Why?

What did I say when I first

met someone new?

I introduced myself, and asked where theyre from

Who took the lead in the

conversation?

It was a joint effort, because I spoke to those who I felt

were similar to me.

What did I look like?

I found speaking to the mature students difficult, as I

wanted them to know I respected them because theyre
my seniors, however didnt want them to feel left out
and secluded.

What did I find difficult?

Why?
How did I feel meeting my tutor
for the first time?

How did I feel before

meeting him/her?

What did I find easy? Why?

Did I ask any questions?

Before meeting my tutor I felt nervous, as I knew first

impressions are most important.
I found communicating very easy because my tutor
engaged and lead conversations which invited us/me
personally.
I did ask questions about a few modules.

What did I find difficult?

Why?
How did I feel afterwards?
Why?

I found the independence difficult and the process of

meeting a tutor/having a tutor with such a small group.
Its a lot different to A-Levels.
I felt relieved and comforted that I had a tutor who was
a supportive guide during my studies. I also felt a lot
more at ease about my course, knowing that my tutor
was such a helpful individual.

PHAR1605

Communication Skills (CS1) Workshop Series

Pre-CS1 activity

How do I communicate with my

best friend?
I feel thrilled and relieved that were being reunited.

How do I feel before

meeting him/her?

We predominantly converse in English.

What language do I use?

I/we speak a lot.

How much do I talk?

I feel at ease, and very comfortable in their presence.

How do I feel when were

together?

Me as a communicator - identify
Having looked at yourself and how you communicate in different situations, complete
the following bubbles aiming for 2 or 3 bullet points in each.

Patient/Customer Liaison
Conversing with individuals
from different backgrounds
Analysing changes in body
language and portraying an
empathetic disposition.

I am good at

Avoiding the use of specialist jargon with

individuals who are not familiar with my
lexical choice.
Translating information into a simple form

This is difficult!

PHAR1605

Communication Skills (CS1) Workshop Series

I am going to work on this

The use of specialist jargon with patients and other

healthcare professionals: The information I shall be
giving to other healthcare professionals (Doctors,
Social Workers, Police, Nurses, Midwives etc) in
different settings, for example, a Hospital will
need to be in a form which is accurately
understood in order for the patient to receive the
best practice.
Following this, the exclusion of scientific/specialist
jargon when conversing with patients is necessary
in order to eliminate misconceptions about their
medication and the care they are receiving. This
will enhance the professional relationship with my
patients, thus allowing the patient to build
confidence when seeking advice.

Pre-CS1 activity