The Critical Care Communication project: Improving fellows' communication skills

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to develop an evidence-based communication skills training workshop to improve the communication skills of critical care fellows. Materials and methods Pulmonary and critical care fellows (N = 38) participated in a 3-day communication skills workshop betwee...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of critical care 2015-04, Vol.30 (2), p.250-254
Main Authors: Arnold, Robert M., MD, Back, Anthony L., MD, Barnato, Amber E., MD, MPH, MS, Prendergast, Thomas J., MD, Emlet, Lillian L., MD, MS, Karpov, Irina, PhD, White, Patrick H., MD, Nelson, Judith E., MD, JD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Communication
Critical Care
Curriculum
Decision making
Education, Medical, Continuing - organization & administration
End-of-life care
Feedback
Fellowships and Scholarships
Female
Hospitals
Humans
Intensive care
Intensive care unit
Internal Medicine - education
Middle Aged
Palliative care
Physician-Patient Relations
Professional-Family Relations
Program Development
Pulmonary Medicine - education
Religion
Skill development
Skills
Standardized patient
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Summary:Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to develop an evidence-based communication skills training workshop to improve the communication skills of critical care fellows. Materials and methods Pulmonary and critical care fellows (N = 38) participated in a 3-day communication skills workshop between 2008 and 2010 involving brief didactic talks, faculty demonstration of skills, and faculty-supervised small group skills practice sessions with simulated families. Skills included the following: giving bad news, achieving consensus on goals of therapy, and discussing the limitations of life-sustaining treatment. Participants rated their skill levels in a pre-post survey in 11 core communication tasks using a 5-point Likert scale. Results Of 38 fellows, 36 (95%) completed all 3 days of the workshop. We compared pre and post scores using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Overall, self-rated skills increased for all 11 tasks. In analyses by participant, 95% reported improvement in at least 1 skill; with improvement in a median of 10 of 11 skills. Ninety-two percent rated the course as either very good/excellent, and 80% recommended that it be mandatory for future fellows. Conclusions This 3-day communication skills training program increased critical care fellows' self-reported family meeting communication skills.
ISSN:0883-9441
1557-8615
DOI:10.1016/j.jcrc.2014.11.016