Health Communication iOS APP: A Free Resource for Interprofessional Curriculum Training (FR469-C)

Abstract

•Educate and support the communication training of palliative care team members.•Provide skills-based guidance about relational communication in the clinical context.•Identify concrete communication practices for challenging topics in palliative care.•Disseminate evaluation findings of the Health Communication APP. With the influx of palliative education programs during the last decade, the inclusion of mobile device support remains limited, and the study of mobile app usability and feasibility is even more rare. To increase clinical communication training exposure to a variety of team members and expand palliative care training beyond health education, the Health Communication APP features over 100 specific communication strategies as well as a search by scenario menu. Two primary features are included: first, a quick reference guide for what to say and how to say it in a variety of circumstances, and second, a communication toolkit that helps clinicians effectively respond to difficult conversations with patients and caregivers. App content is derived from theory and evidence resulting from 10 years of research in a variety of healthcare contexts. The content of the App is based on the COMFORT Communication Curriculum. The curriculum has been peer reviewed and tested among palliative care audiences (undergraduate and graduate education as well as clinical audiences); all studies have demonstrated significant change in communication confidence, comfort, knowledge, and efficacy. Findings from feasibility and usability tests of the APP will be presented. Results are based on feedback data from clinicians who have downloaded and used the APP. Initial feedback has demonstrated high satisfaction with APP content and ease of use. To meet the growing dependence on mobile devices for information and support, the Health Communication APP provides learners and clinicians with a resource for learning about palliative care communication. This educational tool can be used to provide interprofessional education, supplement communication instruction, and to guide clinical observations as well as curriculum development. The Health Communication APP mobile content is an innovative tool for palliative care communication training. Clinicians and students find it easy to use and valuable to their practice.