The Dubai Health Authority Health Regulation Department in cooperation with the Medical Education Department recently organised a workshop on effective communication for healthcare entities. The workshop discussed several issues including understanding the magnitude of communication breakdown at all levels and importance of effective communication More than 300 participants including medical directors, doctors, nurses and other health care professionals attended the workshop. Dr Layla Marqouqi, Head of Clinical Governance Office, DHA Health Regulation Department said: \"Communication difficulties are all too often devastating in health care settings. They can, and often do, create huge barriers between patients and health care staff. Communication is the best defence against medical malpractice. Failure to convey relevant medical information to key players in the medical team and to patient/family results in minor errors or even malpractice and therefore all healthcare professionals need to understand the importance of effective communication.\" Dr. Maher Michael Meziou and Dr. Hanadi Mohamed Al Lauz also emphasized on the importance of effective communication.