Neil S. Prose, MD

Research Professor, Duke Global Health Institute
Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center

About the lecture

Because of their differing perspectives and world views,  empathic communication between health care providers and patients is sometimes absent from  the medical encounter. In low and middle income countries, the problem is compounded by a variety of   educational and socioeconomic factors. Data shows that true quality improvement in hospitals and health centers in low and middle income countries often depends on developing a culture of respectful, patient-centered care, and the failure to do so impacts health outcomes.  Dr. Prose will describe his work in facilitating the development of medical school courses in three different African countries, and a curriculum for midwives and health extension workers in Ethiopia and a rural area of southern Chile.

Lunch will be provided. This event is part of Think Global, a weekly lecture series at the Duke Global Health Institute. It is free and open to the public.

About the speaker

Dr. Prose has worked extensively on issues related to the care of skin disease in children in Sub-Saharan Africa and South America. His current main research interest is provider-patient communication in low and middle income countries. He has aided in the development of communication skills curricula at medical schools  in Botswana, South Africa, and Ethiopia. Dr Prose is currently working with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement on the creation of educational videos and learning sessions in compassionate care for midwives and health extension workers in Ethiopia. He also teaches a course in empathic communication skills to midwifery students  at the University of Aysen, located in a small city in Chilean Patagonia.