SIMATS’ national conclave on critical role of communication in modern healthcare concludes

The National Conclave on Communication in Healthcare, organized by Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS) in collaboration with the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, was successfully conducted on Monday at the MM Convention Centre, Saveetha Dental College.

The conclave emerged as a landmark academic event, bringing together leading experts, policymakers, educators, and healthcare professionals from across the country to deliberate on the critical role of communication in modern healthcare.

The event witnessed overwhelming participation, with over 15 premier institutions and more than 1,500 delegates attending, reflecting the growing recognition of communication as a core competency in clinical practice. The conclave served as a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, interdisciplinary dialogue, and capacity building, reinforcing the importance of effective communication in ensuring patient safety, trust, and quality healthcare delivery.

The inaugural session commenced with the Presidential Address by N.M. Veeraiyan, Chancellor, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), which set a visionary and inspiring tone for the conclave. In his address, he highlighted that while communication is often perceived as a soft skill, it is, in reality, a powerful clinical tool that directly influences patient outcomes.

He emphasised that words can heal, underscoring the profound impact of compassionate and empathetic communication in enhancing the healing process. He further stressed the need to integrate structured communication training across all levels of medical education in alignment with competency-based curricula.

This was followed by the address of Abhijat C. Sheth, Chairman, National Medical Commission (NMC), Government of India, who emphasised the integration of communication skills within competency-based medical education and its direct impact on patient outcomes. The presence of distinguished leadership from NBEMS further elevated the academic stature of the conclave, including Minu Bajpai, Executive Director, NBEMS; Shishta Nadda Basu, Member, Governing Body, NBEMS; and Shivakant Misra, Vice-President, NBEMS.

The scientific sessions featured an exceptional panel of experts including Sitangshu Basu, Rajesh Upadhyay, Veena Upadhyay, and Ajay Kumar. The sessions were highly engaging and practice-oriented, focusing on empathy in patient care, breaking bad news, non-verbal communication, and managing difficult conversations. Special emphasis was placed on addressing violence against healthcare professionals and the importance of structured communication in preventing conflict and improving workplace safety.