Blog | Pam McLean Centre

Oct 2

2019 Communication Prize – Winners are Grinners!

Pictured (L-R) Annis, Emma & Michael

Thursday, 26 September saw our top three final year Sydney Medical School student finalists compete in a live event to determine their place in the 2019 Sulway Harris Prize for Excellence in Clinical Communication.

Finalists participated in response, empathy and role play activities scored by a panel of seven esteemed judges representing the academic, clinical, patient and medico-legal aspects of the medical world.

The final outcome is below, with prize money allocated to first, second and third place winners:

1st Prize of $1,500: Emma Hardwick
2nd Prize of $1,000: Michael Wu
3rd Prize of $500: Annis McTigue

Between activities, audience members participated in mini responses and debates with each earning a gift card for their contribution. After the formalities we enjoyed a well catered cocktail party with thanks to sponsor Avant Mutual.

Pictured (L-R) Professional Actor, Matt Charleston, with Annis McTigue

The Pam McLean Centre administered the prize application & assessment process and hosted the live event on behalf of Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney. The prize was established by Dr Martyn Sulway and Sydney Medical School in 2016 to promote and encourage the development of professional communication skills.

Thank you to everyone who applied, took part, attended on the day and supported the event. We look forward to doing it all again in 2020.

Apr 26

2019 Sulway Harris Prize for Excellence in Clinical Communication – Applications Open!

The judging panel are all smiles

After the success of it’s inaugural presentation in 2016, we are excited to invite you to apply for the Sulway Harris Prize for Excellence in Clinical Communication, open to final year University of Sydney Medical Students, that celebrates and promotes a skill essential to health care – Communication.

The Sulway Harris Prize has been established by endocrinologist Dr Martyn Sulway, who successfully sourced a considerable donation pool of over $70,000 from his own network, to bring this to fruition. These annual awards were initiated because Dr Sulway recognised there was a clear problem with good doctor-patient communication skills. The solution was to enhance and encourage medical undergraduate communication skills teaching and assessment.

The prize aims to promote and encourage the development of professional communication skills – whose importance is increasingly recognised as essential to optimal patient care, as well as professional wellbeing.

The coordination of the prize will be administered by The Pam McLean Centre (PMC), a joint venture between the Sydney Medical School Northern and the Northern Sydney Local Health District. Assessment of the prize will be undertaken by PMC staff including Professor Stewart Dunn, Dr Renee Lim and PMC affiliates.

Three awards will be made to students in the final Year of the University of Sydney, Sydney Medical Program valued at $1,500, $1,000 and $500. Competition for the Prize is voluntary.

Allocation of prize in 2019
Only Students in Year 4 may apply. Year 4 students can apply by voluntary submission of a workbook, a written statement, and recorded role-play interaction. Finalists will partake in a competition workshop.

If you wish to apply further information is available from:

Dr Renee Lim: renee.lim@sydney.edu.au
The Pam McLean Centre

Feb 3

2019 Complex Communication in Healthcare – Register Now

Complex Communication in Healthcare, a PMC Masterclass, is back with new content in 2019. The workshop is suitable for all health staff including students, clinicians, nurses, allied health and administration. For participating medical professionals, the masterclass has been accredited with the RACGP for (Category 1) 40 QI&CPD points and ACRRM 30 PDP by the Australian Medical Association (AMA).

Topics covered include:

Breaking Bad News
End of Life
Open Disclosure
Dealing with Conflict in the Workplace
Feedback & Supervision

Under the guidance of our expert facilitators, Prof. Fran Boyle & Dr Renee Lim, and professional actors this hands-on, experiential learning opportunity will not only increase your knowledge and skill, but your understanding and interpretation of human behaviour and the value of good communication within the health system. We specialise in creating teaching workshops that allow participants to have individualised learning experiences. We explore the structure of and skills involved in psychology around outcomes from health based interactions. Our immersive interactive role plays look at complex communication problems medical professionals’ face in day to day practice.

PMC is a joint venture supported by Northern Sydney Local Health District, University of Sydney Medical School and Friends of the Mater.

Workshop Dates & Location:

Tuesday, 23 July 2019
Tuesday, 5 November 2019

Session 1: 8.00 am-12.00 pm, Session 2: 1.00 pm-5.00 pm

Level 5, Kolling Building
Royal North Shore Hospital
Cnr Reserve Rd & Westbourne St
St Leonards NSW 2065, Australia

In order to explore all planned workshop topics, you’ll need to attend the full day (2 sessions). You can though choose to attend only one session on the day. Catering provided.

Registration & Fees
For more information and to register CLICK HERE.

For further enquiries email sms.pmcadmin@sydney.edu.au or call +612 9926 4691.

Sep 28

2018 Communication Prize Winners

Prof. Stewart Dunn, Director – Pam McLean Centre, addresses the audience

Thursday, 27 September saw the top three Stage 3 (final year) Sydney Medical School student finalists compete in a live event to determine their place in the 2018 Sulway Harris Prize for Excellence in Clinical Communication.

Finalists participated in response, empathy and role play activities scored by a panel of seven esteemed judges representing the academic, clinical, patient and medico-legal aspects of the medical world.

(L-R) Professional actor, Annette van Roden, with finalist, Isabella Lau

The final outcome was a tie for first place, with prize money allocated to first and second place combined for our winners:

Equal 1st Prize of $1,250 each:
- Josephine de Costa, Central Clinical School
- Urosh Chikich, Northern Clinical School
2nd Prize of $500: Isabella Lau, Nepean Clinical School

Apr 30

2018 Sulway Harris Prize for Excellence in Clinical Communication – Applications Open!

After the success of it’s presentation in 2016 and 2017, we are excited to invite you to apply for the 2018 Sulway Harris Prize for Excellence in Clinical Communication. The prize is open to final year University of Sydney Medical Students and celebrates & promotes a skill essential to health care – communication. Read more

Feb 2

2018 Complex Communication in Healthcare – Course Program & Registration

Complex Communication in Healthcare, a PMC Masterclass, is back with new content and scenarios in 2018. The workshop is suitable for all health staff including students, clinicians, nurses, allied health and administration. For participating medical professionals, the masterclass has been accredited with the RACGP for (Category 1) 40 QI&CPD points and ACRRM 30 PDP by the Australian Medical Association (AMA).

Oct 4

Final Masterclass for 2017 – Complex Communication in Healthcare

Have you or a colleague experienced challenging staff/patient interactions or conversations recently and would benefit by attending our training? Our final Communication Master Class for 2017 is only 5 weeks away. Read more

Sep 29

2017 Communication Prize Winners

Stage 4 Conference week saw the top three Sydney Medical School finalists compete in a live event to determine their place in the 2017 Sulway Harris Prize for Excellence in Clinical Communication. The finalists participated in response, empathy and role play activities scored by a panel of seven esteemed judges representing the academic, clinical, patient and medico-legal aspects of the medical world. The final outcome was:

1st Prize of $1,500: Christian Katsikaros, Westmead Clinical School (pictured above with judge, Assoc. Prof. Chris Roberts)
2nd Prize of $1,000: Travis Bettison, Northern Clinical School
3rd Prize of $500: Aditi Raut, Northern Clinical School

Aug 15

2017 Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence

Our very own Dr Renee Lim was recently one of three University of Sydney employees to receive a 2017 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Early Career Teaching. This award celebrates the achievements of early-career University academics who excel in teaching through their contribution to an outstanding educational experience and outstanding educational outcomes for students.

Jul 31

Is there a Wrong and Right way to Break Bad News?

Being the bearer of bad news is one of medicine’s more emotionally challenging responsibilities. Getting it right is crucial not only for patients and their families, but also for the well-being of doctors themselves.

“If you’re giving someone bad news, it’s going to be pretty brutal for both the person receiving the news and the one giving it,” says Professor Stewart Dunn, a medical psychologist specialised in the psychological care of cancer patients and their families. Click Here to read Prof. Dunn’s complete article on the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Doctor Portal.