Effectiveness of a brief training program in relational/communication skills for medical residents

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of a brief training program in relational/communication skills (RCS) for medical residents. MethodsThis longitudinal study enrolled 64 medical residents who participated in a RCS training program in small groups. Teaching was based on interviews with standardized patients and reflective practice. Video-recorded consultations were coded according to the Verona-Coding-Definitions-of-Emotional-Sequences (VR-CoDES) and a coding system developed to assess ten communication skills for breaking bad news. The outcome measures were: independent raters’ score in RCS for breaking bad news and the percentage of providing space and empathic responses, by comparing baseline (T1) skills with those after three-days (T2) and three-months (T3). ResultsAfter the training program residents provided more space for further disclosure of cues and concerns according to VR-CoDES definitions. There were significant improvements in seven of the ten communication skills for breaking bad news. All of these improvements were observed either at T2 or at T3. ConclusionThis study demonstrates the effectiveness of a brief RCS training program designed to improve medical residents’ ability to respond appropriately to patients’ cues and concerns and to conduct a breaking bad news encounter. Practice implicationsBrief RCS training programs adopting multiple approaches, should be offered as mandatory during residency programs.