Melanie Barlow 16/3/26 Melanie Barlow 16/3/26

Why Toxic Workplaces Are Trending, and What This Means for the Future of Leadership Communication

Melanie Barlow 26/2/26 Melanie Barlow 26/2/26

Communication Is Crucial: Why the Latest Evidence Demands We Transform How Healthcare Trains Its Workforce

Healthcare doesn’t have a communication problem,
it has a communication training problem.

Evidence: poor communication is behind one quarter of patient safety incidents.
Reality: our current training focuses on scripts, not connection.
Reframing Conversations shows we must teach listening, emotional regulation, and receiver‑ready communication, not just assertiveness.

Skills that save lives aren’t “non‑technical.”
They’re the future of safe care

Melanie Barlow 11/2/26 Melanie Barlow 11/2/26

Why Communication Training Matters More Than Ever in the Age of AI

Melanie Barlow 31/12/25 Melanie Barlow 31/12/25

Call to Organisations: Invest in Skills That Save Lives

A major 7NEWS report highlights that thousands of preventable hospital deaths in Australia were linked to human error, often at the exact moments when communication and handover should protect patients. The blog argues that communication is an essential clinical skill, not “non‑technical,” and shows how structured handovers, clear escalation, and a Receiver Mindset turn concerns into timely action. Aligned with NSQHS Standard 6 and global safety goals, it calls on organisations to invest in behavioural, cognitive, and social communication skills—training that reliably reduces avoidable harm and saves lives.

Melanie Barlow 6/11/25 Melanie Barlow 6/11/25

Reframing Emergency Services Culture: Lessons from Westpac Rescue and the Power of Communication

Emergency services operate in high-stakes environments. Silence and fear can be deadly. It’s time to invest in communication training that protects people and strengthens teams.

Melanie Barlow 22/10/25 Melanie Barlow 22/10/25

Why Speaking Up Training in Healthcare Isn’t Working — And What Needs to Change

Melanie Barlow 21/2/25 Melanie Barlow 21/2/25

Simulation community: What are your thoughts?

The skills of effective communication, listening and reflection have never before needed to be more deliberately taught in healthcare curriculum than now. There are many ways this could be approached - this is one suggestion. What do you think?

Melanie Barlow 1/12/24 Melanie Barlow 1/12/24

It’s time to stop using the terms ‘technical and non-technical skills’ – please!

Effective communication, especially in challenging situations like delivering bad news or questioning a senior’s decision, are complex and often very difficult. By labelling these skills as “non-technical,” it implies they are secondary, intangible and unmeasurable.