Faculty Spotlight – Arielle Berger

Spotlight on: Arielle Berger, MD

Dr. Berger is a stellar facilitator who has taught six workshops since our program began in 2022

Speciality: Geriatrics

Favourite Movie: Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Over the past three years, The Conversation Lab has sent twenty clinicians to complete VitalTalk faculty development training to standardize and scale communication skills teaching using an evidence-based and best-in-class approach, with more joining our ranks this year. Arielle, a member of our inaugural cohort, has proven to be an invaluable member of our teaching team. Her dedication and expertise have garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from the many students she has taught.

"I felt a shift in how I thought about my role in healthcare."

Arielle: I was first introduced to formal training in communication skills as a senior geriatric medicine resident. After spending two full days studying, practicing and getting feedback on how to approach challenging conversations, I felt a shift in how I thought about my role in healthcare.

Rather than shying away from difficult topics, I felt empowered to support my patients navigate difficult, yet incredibly meaningful moments in their lives. Talking to patients honestly, openly and compassionately became the reason I went to work rather than a challenge to overcome.

Being part of The Conversation Lab teaching community has helped me reconnect and refocus on these parts of my work that are so meaningful. In teaching, I get the opportunity to help our students reconnect with that part of themselves as well; healthcare workers want to do good by their patients, but are sometimes lacking the tools to do so.

Helping our students fine tune their communication skills to be able to find the words (or the silence) to provide the care they want to provide to their patients is very rewarding.