Communication skills and soft skills in Medicine

Abstract

The communication skills appear among the key acquisitions during their medical career and become part of the so called soft skills when combined with other relevant ones. Given that the specialized bibliography puts the accent in deepening its training, particularly in relation with its specific behaviors, the present report tries to contribute in this regard knowing that such behaviors have to be progressively improved along the professional life. Mainly guided by simple questions, initially formulated by Aristotle and rescued by Joseph Rudyard Kipling, they are detailed, establishing simultaneously their why and for what, how, when, how much and where it is appropriate its training and who should be in charge of it. It is concluded that a desirable dynamic balance between all medical skills, with a certain prevalence of those linked to the essential core of professional activities, will make them useful not only for undergraduate and postgraduate but, and why not, for daily life itself.