“Socratic Dialogue” in Professional Education in Health Care

Abstract

Competence to communicate is essential for those who work at medical institutions. Various kinds of communication trainings have been provided in professional health care education, and acquiring good skills in medical interviews has been a major interest in higher education. However, many of those trainings have paid little attention to interactive communication with patients and competences for inter-professional collaboration. It is important that students have a chance to participate in the dialogue as a member of community of inquiry into the issues they are sharing. This experience will help students understand human diversity in terms of both aspects of sameness and difference. The method of “Socratic Dialogue” was introduced as a part of training for health care professionals. We report educational implications of offering opportunities to experience community inquiry.