Talking With Children

Abstract

An increasing number of medical students now receive child psychiatry as part of their clinical curriculum, and a variety of clinical skills need to be taught during this time. The one I wish to highlight here is that involved in talking with children, particularly as this provides the common thread to working with children in various settings whether in their homes, on the wards or in outpatient clinics. I believe this is best done by child psychiatrists who, amongst other skills, analyse communication processes. Through developing this skill doctors are more able to put children at their ease, and so be effective in their work with them.