Patient-centred Communication: Based on Motivational Interviewing
On-site in Tartu 4-10 August 2025
Communication is an important component in all areas of life, especially where you have to work with people such as medicine, psychology, social work, etc. Communication is also an important component in collegial relationships, including skills that help reduce tensions and conflicts.
Patient-centred communication is an approach to healthcare communication that prioritises the needs and preferences of the patient. It involves actively engaging patients in their healthcare by fostering a collaborative and respectful relationship between healthcare providers and patients. This approach recognises the importance of the patient's perspective, values, and autonomy in the decision-making process. Adopting patient-centred communication practices has been associated with improved patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment plans, and health outcomes. It helps build trust between patients and healthcare providers, fostering a positive and supportive healthcare environment.
The objective of the course is to enable learners to acquire evidence-based basic knowledge of person/patient-centred communication and counselling and create conditions for their application in standard situations and get an idea of how to develop their communication skills further.
Information about the course
Focus area: | Patient-centred communication | Coordinating unit: | Department of Family Medicine and Public Health |
Study Field: | Medicine | Course Leader: | Laura Kaljurand |
Format: | Summer Course | Location: | Puusepa 1a, Tartu |
Course dates: | 4 August - 10 August 2025 | Language: | English |
ECTS: | 3 | Study group: | BA/MA/PhD |
Lecturers
Inga Karton (PhD) | Tatjana Meister | Marta Velgan | Laura Kaljurand |
Lecturer in Communication Psychology in the University of Tartu, Psychologist, MI Trainer Inga teaches Communication in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Tartu. Her passion is training and introducing simulated patients into teaching. She has a PhD in psychology and has studied lying and motivation. She is also a practitioner - a clinical psychologist. Inga is a member of motivational interviewing trainers’ network in Estonia and internationally. | Family Physician, PhD Student at the University of Tartu, MI Trainer Tatjana is a family doctor and owner of a family practice. As a member of the Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of Tartu, she participates in various scientific projects and training for medical students in the fields of communication, motivational interviewing, and general medicine through the continuum of medical education at the University of Tartu. | Family Physician, PhD Student at the University of Tartu, MI Trainer Marta has studied medicine at the University of Tartu and later completed residency training in family medicine. Last 5 years she has been working as a family doctor. Additionally she has been teaching communication for medical students and recently joined the family of motivational interviewing trainers. | Resident of Family Medicine, MI Trainer Laura has studied medicine in the University of Tartu and has chosen family medicine as her specialty. She has been teaching communication for over five years and recently joined the family of MI trainers. |
Application deadline: 30 April 2025
Application period: 1 April - 30 April 2025
NB! All of the applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of EUR 25. Your application will only be processed after the University has received the fee. The application fee is required to facilitate the admissions process and will not be refunded, regardless of the admission result.
Course fee: 600 EUR
Includes:
Study materials
5 days of academic work with lecturers
Certificate of completion (3 ECTS)
3 cultural events in the evenings
NB! Transportation and accommodation costs are not included. The course fee does not cover participant's lunch during the summer school.
NB! This is a preliminary programme. The final schedule will be sent to the participants two weeks before the course starts.
Sunday, August 3
Arrival
Monday, August 4
An overview of motivational interviewing (MI) and client-centred communication.
MI spirit.
Tuesday, August 5
Engaging, reflecting, summarising
Wednesday, August 6
Focusing, asking, giving information
Thursday, August 7
Evoking. Planning.
Friday, August 8
Practice with simulated patients
Saturday, August 9/Sunday, August 10
Departure
After passing the subject, the student:
- recognises situations where the basic skills and techniques of person/patient-centred communication, including counselling, can be used;
- knows how to use person/patient-centred communication and motivation skills when conducting basic consultations and counselling clients/patients.
- applies evidence-based communication techniques in given situational tasks when conducting consultation and working in a team;
Participation is open not only to medical students but also to students from other fields whose work will be related to helping people, such as psychology, social work, etc., and who wish to improve their communication skills.
Entry requirements:
- Online application form (application period April 1 - April 30 2025)
- Motivation letter (up to 1 page) that demonstrates the applicant’s motivation to participate, his/her expectations about the programme, how participation in the summer programme relates to his/her studies and interests, and how the applicant plans to use the gained experience and knowledge in the future.
- Transcript of academic records
- Copy of passport
PS: Only complete applications including all annexes submitted by the deadline will be considered for selection.
