The Department of Public Health and Primary Care of the Faculty of Medicine addresses the healthcare challenges facing our society through thoughtful and high quality education for (future) healthcare professionals, (inter)national interdisciplinary research, and community service.
Within this department, Professor Eline Dancet, in collaboration with the STEPS Skills Centre, coordinates the communication curriculum embedded throughout the Medicine and Dentistry programs (Bachelor, Master & Advanced Master). We develop and teach interactive lectures, virtual communication training programs, internship reflection sessions, and practical sessions for students, all based on the principles of experiential learning. In addition, we organize train the trainer sessions for the 120 instructors who teach at least one practical session each year.
Professor Eline Dancet conducts research within the Centre for Biomedical Ethics and Law on how communication training programs for (dental) physicians can improve the learning curve of healthcare professionals and enhance patients’ care experiences and well being.
Due to increasing student numbers, we are looking for an assistant to support Prof. Dancet in her teaching activities. The assistant will also have the opportunity to work on a PhD related to the teaching domain.
Website unit
Project
You will take on responsibilities within the communication curriculum in the Medicine and Dentistry programs (E08M5B; E00X0B; E0I45A; E0I63A; E0I77A; E0C33A):
- Developing blended learning materials — including videos of (dental) physician–patient interactions, virtual communication training programs, experiential learning assignments, and practical session materials.
- Teaching communication training in the Bachelor and Master programs in Medicine and Dentistry, where communication skills are practiced and observed through role plays followed by debriefing.
- Communicating with students via email and online learning platforms.
- Coordinating instructor activities.
- Contributing to train the trainer sessions and supporting the instructor team.
Examples of communication skills taught
- Active and sensitive listening to patients’ physical and psychosocial well being and care needs.
- Communicating to prevent boundary crossing behavior.
- Achieving shared decision making with patients.
- Motivational interviewing to support lifestyle change and treatment adherence.
You will conduct scientific research on health communication regarding sensitive topics (e.g., sexual and reproductive health) in preparation for a PhD under the supervision of Professor Eline Dancet.
More specifically:
- Empirical research on the impact of communication line learning activities on the learning experiences, attitudes, and communication skills of (dental) students.
- Empirical research on the impact of health communication on the communication skills of practicing (dental) physicians and on patients’ care experiences, well being, and behavior.
- Supervising Master’s theses
Profile
- In possession of a Master’s degree (with good academic results) in psychology, family and sexology studies, educational sciences, pedagogy, nursing and midwifery, health promotion, medicine, dentistry, biomedical sciences, or another healthcare profession.
- A plus: academic teacher training and/or teaching experience.
- A plus: experience interacting with patients/clients in a healthcare context.
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral; Dutch and English).
- Experience with Office tools and interest in digital educational innovation.
- Flexibility to adapt your working hours to student timetables and the needs of the teaching team.
- Curiosity, an investigative mindset, and the ability for scientific thinking and analytical reasoning.
- Interest in developing scientific research questions and research protocols, as well as in data collection, data management, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and scientific writing.
- Strong organizational skills, problem solving ability, and competencies in project and time management, with the capacity to take initiative, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team, and to build and maintain professional networks.
- Perseverance, resilience, and willingness for self reflection, continuous development, and growth.
Offer
The full time appointment as assistant is initially for 2 years, with a start date as soon as possible (to be mutually agreed), and may be renewed twice for a maximum total duration of 6 years. This position is linked to salary scale 43.
The selected candidate will receive a diverse set of responsibilities, with teaching activities as the primary focus (supporting coordination, developing materials, and teaching). In addition, mainly during periods with fewer teaching duties, the candidate will conduct scientific research in preparation for a PhD.
We offer a socially relevant position - patient organizations prioritize the optimization of physician-patient communication - and the opportunity to contribute to the development and evaluation of innovative communication training programs within a dynamic group.
If this challenge suits you, we warmly welcome your application.
Steps Vaardigheidscentrum
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Eline Dancet, mail: [email protected] or Mrs. Sarah Gorissen, mail: [email protected].
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
