Neonatal Critical Care Communication (NC3): training NICU physicians and nurse practitioners

Abstract

Communicating with families is a core skill for neonatal clinicians, yet formal communication training rarely occurs. This study examined the impact of an intensive interprofessional communication training for neonatology fellows and nurse practitioners. Evidence-based, interactive training for common communication challenges in neonatology incorporated didactic sessions, role-plays and reflective exercises. Participants completed surveys before, after, and one month following the training. Five neonatology fellows and eight nurse practitioners participated (n=13). Before the training, participants overall felt somewhat prepared (2.6 on 5 point Likert-type scale) to engage in core communication challenges; afterwards, participants overall felt very well prepared (4.5 on Likert-type scale) (P<0.05). One month later, participants reported frequently practicing the taught skills and felt quite willing to engage in difficult conversations. An intensive communication training program increased neonatology clinicians' self-perceived competence to face communication challenges which commonly occur, but for which training is rarely provided.