Journal of Professional Communication https://mulpress.mcmaster.ca/jpc <h2>JPC is an international publication for practitioners, policy makers and academics.</h2> <p>The professional communication world has a new interdisciplinary, peer reviewed journal for practitioners, journalists, artists, policy makers and academics to exchange ideas. JPC publishes case studies, interviews, research articles, works of digital media art and sound, works of design and commentary. We invite you to become part of the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/JPComm">JPC community</a>.</p> <p>JPC is supported by an Aid to Scholarly Publications grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).</p> McMaster University en-US Journal of Professional Communication 1920-6852 Artificial intelligence is opening a new era for professional communication https://mulpress.mcmaster.ca/jpc/article/view/5833 <p><span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>In this editorial for volume seven of the Journal of Professional Communication, the author discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is going to transform our economy, culture and society in ways that we cannot yet imagine. Indeed, it is because AI is the first storytelling technology. Being a storytelling technology, it fits squarely in the wheelhouse of profesional communicators, communications managers and marketers. The author suggests that communicators grab the gold AI ring, rather than allow it pass the profession by, similar to how the profession passed on social media and lost vitality and relevance because of that miss. The editorial also contains a summary of each article in this issue of JPC, as well as an acknowledgement of peer reviewers and JPC staff.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p> <p>©Journal of Professional Communication, all rights reserved.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></p> Alex Sevigny Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Professional Communication 2024-05-06 2024-05-06 7 3 7 What makes a good specialty referral? https://mulpress.mcmaster.ca/jpc/article/view/4883 <p>Referrals between medical and surgical specialties are an important communication challenge in healthcare. Yet there is little guidance on how to make a competent referrals. We aimed to clarify the qualities of a good referral by means of a qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews and email correspondence with a predefined topic schedule were conducted with participants purposively sampled to include a wide range of specialties. The results were collated and coded using the Framework Method. These were then qualitatively analysed and common themes emerged. A total of 51 specialists from 29 clinical specialties responded. The broad themes identified included a standardised structure, appropriate method and relevant content of referral. Many clinicians cited a well-organised structure with a clear clinical question as key to a good referral. Many also preferred a ‘headliner’ summary sentence to give an overview of the content of the referral. Perceived barriers to a good referral included staffing levels, high workload and complexity of the referral process. We have identified common themes that can be applied to referrals made to a wide range of clinical specialities. The q-SBAR (question-Situation Background Assessment Referral) method is one way that such a referral could be structured.</p> Adam Boggon Kiloran Metcalfe Nuha Wani Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Professional Communication 2024-05-06 2024-05-06 7 9 19