Education

CONNECT Program

CONNECT is a communication skills training program focused on enhancing the Seattle Children’s patient and family experience and strengthening provider job satisfaction. The program offers interactive workshops for clinicians to share experiences and best practices. The curriculum focuses on behaviors and actions known to enhance the clinician–patient relationship, improve efficiency and optimize the patient experience. Personalized 1:1 coaching is also available. To learn more about the spirit of this work, we suggest watching the video Lessons from the Other Side of the Bed: When the Doctor’s Child Is Sick.

Vision

The CONNECT Program’s vision is a culture where:

  • Clinicians wouldn't choose to practice anywhere other than Seattle Children's.
  • Patients and families wouldn't choose to go anywhere other than Seattle Children's for their care.

Program Services

  • 1-to-1 coaching
  • Consultation
  • Responding to Emotions
  • Delivering Serious News
  • Working Through Conflict With Clinical Colleagues
  • Tools and videos
  • Other communication-specific workshops

Core Team

  • Harris Baden, cardiac intensivist, founder of CONNECT Program, medical director of patient experience
  • Rebecca Davis-Suskind, palliative care provider, learning consultant, VitalTalk instructor
    • Teaches CONNECT Foundational Workshop/Giving Serious News/Responding to Emotion With Empathy, Psychological Safety/Working Through Conflict With Colleagues
  • Craig Jackson, neonatologist, VitalTalk instructor
    • Teaches: CONNECT Foundational Workshop/Giving Serious News/Working Through Conflict With Colleagues 

Contact Us

 If you have questions about the CONNECT Program, including inquiries about workshops or best practices, or are interested in getting involved, please email Rebecca.Davis-Suskind@seattlechildrens.org.