Support for IMGs: Understanding Cultural Communication Differences Between Colleagues (IMG23FEB27)

Through practical exercises, real-life case scenarios, and guided discussions, IMGs will develop strategies to navigate cultural differences confidently, build effective working relationships with colleagues, and communicate more clearly with both clinical teams and patients. By the end of the course, participants will feel more confident in adapting their communication style to the UK healthcare setting, fostering stronger teamwork, and contributing positively to patient care.

Working in a multicultural healthcare environment like the NHS can present unique communication challenges for International Medical Graduates.

This course helps participants understand and navigate cultural differences, improving interactions with colleagues, enhancing teamwork, and fostering a more supportive and inclusive workplace.

Attendees will gain practical skills and confidence to communicate effectively, reduce misunderstandings, and contribute positively to patient care and professional relationships.

Booking courses

Please ensure that you check your availability before booking a place and add the booking to your diary / calendar. Please ensure that you also book the relevant study leave in advance with your employer.

Please refrain from booking multiple instances of the same course or course type to ensure that places are available to your colleagues. If a course is full, please add yourself to the waiting list and you will receive a notification if a place becomes available.

Joining Instructions

This is a virtual course, the joining instructions for the virtual meeting will be added to the documents section (above) before the course. Please ensure that you are able to access this before the course so that you are ready to join on the day.

Booking cancellation

Participants must make every effort to attend courses they have booked. If your availability changes after booking, please cancel your place through Maxcourse as soon as possible. This will release the place for colleagues on the waiting list.

If you need to cancel within 1 week of the course or the course has started and you are not able to attend, please email england.lsfdcourses.yh@nhs.net to give your apologies.

This course is only available to IMG doctors in postgraduate training. (IMG = International Medical Graduate.) Please only book if you meet this criteria.

Mandatory: Dentist, or Doctor, or Public Health Professional

To equip International Medical Graduates with the communication skills and cultural awareness necessary to interact effectively and confidently with colleagues within the NHS, enhancing teamwork, professional relationships, and patient care in a multicultural healthcare environment.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify and understand cultural differences in communication styles among NHS colleagues and teams.
• Demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal communication strategies suitable for a multicultural healthcare environment.
• Apply practical approaches to navigate challenging workplace interactions, including conflict resolution and collaborative teamwork.
• Adapt communication strategies to align with professional expectations and promote positive relationships with colleagues and patients.
• Reflect on personal communication styles and develop strategies for continuous improvement within the NHS context.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Communicate confidently and effectively with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds within the NHS.
• Recognise and adapt to differences in communication styles, both verbal and non-verbal, to enhance teamwork and collaboration.
• Navigate and resolve workplace communication challenges in a professional and culturally sensitive manner.
• Demonstrate improved self-awareness of personal communication habits and implement strategies for ongoing development.
• Contribute positively to a collaborative, inclusive, and patient-centered healthcare environment.