Abstract
BackgroundCommunication skill is a core competency in neurology residency training. Specific training in this area at the residency level is often lacking, especially regarding difficult conversations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the current state in teaching residents about difficult conversations in 5 Chinese accredited neurology residency training programs and determine whether there is a perceived need for a formalized curriculum in this field.MethodsAn anonymous, 27-question, cross-sectional online survey addressing difficult conversations for neurological residents were distributed to five grade-A, class-3 hospitals selected from the affiliated teaching hospitals of medical schools qualified to provide neurology residency training in China.ResultsA total of 182 residents responded to the survey, and the response rate was 67.16% (182/271). Of the participants, 84.6% were female and the average age was 26.8 years. The majority of respondent residents (n = 168; 92.31%) reported being exposed to at least one difficult conversation in their medical careers. Only 43 (23.63%) participants reported having previously received formal communication skills training. In comparison with residents without previous training, those with previous training indicated significantly more confidence (P = 0.003) and were under lower pressure (P = 0.037) in managing difficult conversations. Only 97 (53.3%) residents indicated interest in receiving formal training. Time, lack of enthusiasm, lack of educational materials and faculty expertise were commonly cited barriers to formalized training.ConclusionThis survey provides a preliminary assessment of the current status of education on the topic of difficult conversations in five accredited Chinese neurology residency training programs. Our results suggest that there is an unmet need to further develop and implement educational activities by teaching residents to lead difficult conversations. Future efforts should be made to establish and promote a standard and targeted communication curriculum in difficult conversation for Chinese neurological residents.
Highlights
Communication skill is a core competency in neurology residency training
These questions overlapped across multiple resources, including the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) guidelines for communication skills training in neurology residency, educational milestones for neurology residencies, and topics from a review of the literature [8,9,10]
The highest proportion of respondents was from Peking Union Medical College Hospital (n = 49; 83.05%), followed by Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University (n = 65; 81.25%), West China Hospital Sichuan University (n = 34; 56.67%), Wuhan Union Hospital Huazhong University of Science and Technology (n = 21; 47.73%), and Huashan Hospital Fudan University (n = 13; 46.43%)
Summary
Communication skill is a core competency in neurology residency training. Specific training in this area at the residency level is often lacking, especially regarding difficult conversations. Communication skill is one of the core competencies in residency training and medical practice [1]. Previous studies have shown that the training of communication skills in under-graduate and post-graduate education is very limited in China. They pay more attention to theoretical knowledge, but ignore practical communication skills training [4]. Specific curriculum on managing difficult conversations have not been described for Chinese neurology residents
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