For patients to receive excellent care and recover quickly, professional communication is key. But too often, medical professionals struggle with communicating in a way that gets all their points across and ensures patient safety. This problem is now addressed by a new book by Dr. Sonia Lippke, Professor of Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine at Constructor University, and Dr. Christina Derksen, postdoctoral researcher at Queen Mary University, London.
“I’ve had experiences I wouldn’t wish on anyone. So much of it could have been prevented.” This sentiment is a recurrent theme in Dr. Sonia Lippke’s research. She has worked with numerous patients, relatives, and healthcare workers, who overwhelmingly agree: the need for more efficient communication is immense. In training healthcare professionals, Lippke has had the same experience: “Many employees in the healthcare industry feel misunderstood, they miss good exchange with colleagues and patients and the human touch in their work. Many of them have given us the feedback that our training helped return joy to their everyday work and to fill it with more meaning.”
“Teaching and learning health literacy. Training program for social and health care workers” is the translated title of the book, recently released by Hogrefe publishing house. It is the first interdisciplinary training manual for healthcare professionals in the German-speaking world which is developed through evidence-based research and has been tested internationally. It uses state of the art scientific approaches and the materials have been shown to be effective in German clinics.
In addition to scientific background information, the book offers training materials for healthcare professionals, tested in the field and oriented towards addressing real-world issues. They help trainees expand their skills in communication, health literacy and patient safety. Additional training materials are available online through the Hogrefe online library after purchasing the book.
Questions answered by:
Dr. Sonia Lippke | Professor of Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine
slippke@constructor.university | Tel.: +49 421 200-4730
About Constructor University:
Founded in 2001, Constructor University is a top-ranked, English-language, private university, with a campus in Bremen, Germany. With its interdisciplinary approach, advanced digital learning tools and accredited programs, it equips students with fundamental knowledge, critical thinking and practical skills to build their professional career and address the world’s most pressing challenges.
The University emphasizes a synergetic and entrepreneurial spirit, offering program mentoring from top-tier professors and industry experts. Partner collaborations include the Constructor Institute in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, Carnegie Mellon, the National University of Singapore, the University of Geneva, and industry references such as Anisoprint, JetBrains and ChemDiv.
Internationality and diversity lie at the heart of Constructor University, with more than 110 nations at its vibrant and close-knit campus community in Bremen. There, students enjoy active campus life, with access to clubs, professional networks and academic counselling, essential to their personal and academic growth.
Research-centric faculty projects at the University are funded by the German Research Foundation, the European Union's Framework Program for Research and Innovation, and globally leading companies.
The greater Constructor Knowledge ecosystem includes Constructor University in Bremen, Germany, and Constructor Institute in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. It is a provider of education services with education tools, worldwide traditional and online educational services, as well as advisory and strategic services to education customers in the fields of student recruitment, communications, and marketing support.