Effect of a communication lecture tutorial on breast imaging trainees' confidence with challenging breast imaging patient interactions

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a one-hour lecture based communication curriculum on breast imaging trainees' confidence in communicating with patients in a challenging communication setting such as delivering bad news or radiologic error disclosure. Methods12 breast imaging trainees from an academic fellowship program completed questionnaires before and after a communication tutorial. A four breast imaging specific scenario questionnaire assessed confidence by asking the trainees to rank agreement with statements related to their attitude in those specific settings. 12-month follow-up questionnaire was sent to the graduating fellows assessing their -overall confidence in patient communication, the contribution of the curriculum to their self-perceived communication skill and their likelihood in disclosing a radiologic error to a patient. ResultsAll trainees completed the pre and post lecture questionnaire. After the communication tutorial, all trainees reported increased confidence in communicating with patients in a variety of challenging settings with pre lecture survey mean confidence score of 38/98 and post lecture survey mean score of 85.3/98, P = 0.003. Three of eight trainees who completed the 12-month follow up questionnaire reported confidence in their communication skills and reported that the tutorial significantly contributed to their communication skill development. All three agreed that they would be likely to disclose a medical error should they encounter it in their future career. ConclusionsA limited resource one-hour lecture communication tutorial provides effective communication training for breast imaging fellows and is a promising part of a breast imaging curriculum.