Training in communication skills for self-efficacy of health professionals: a systematic review

Ádala Nayana De Sousa Mata,Victor Hugo De Oliveira Segundo,Isac Davidson Santiago Fernandes Pimenta,Liliane Pereira Braga,Isaac Newton Machado Bezerra,Gidyenne Christine Bandeira Silva De Medeiros,Ismael Martinez Nicolás,Kesley Pablo Morais De Azevedo,Grasiela Piuvezam

doi:10.1186/s12960-021-00574-3

Abstract

BackgroundCommunication skills are essential for health professionals to establish a positive relationship with their patients, improving their health and quality of life. In this perspective, communication skills training can be effective strategies to improve the care provided by professionals in patient care and the quality of health services.ObjectiveTo identify the best available evidence on training programs in communication skills to promote changes in attitude and behavior or self-efficacy of health professionals.MethodsSystematic searches were performed in eight databases, evaluating Randomized Controlled Trials and quasi-experimental studies with a control group, focusing on training communication skills for health professionals, who assessed self-efficacy or behaviors related to these skills. The phases of study selection and data extraction were carried out by two independent researchers, and the conflicts were resolved by a third. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane method.ResultsEight studies were included in the review. Most programs lasted between 4½ h and 2 days, involved information about communication skills and the content was applied to the health professionals’ context. Several teaching strategies were used, such as lectures, videos and dramatizations and the evaluation was carried out using different instruments. Improvements in the performance and in the self-efficacy of communication skills were observed in the trained groups. The RCT had a low risk of bias and the quasi-experimental studies had a moderate risk.ConclusionTraining in communication skills can improve the performance and self-efficacy of health professionals. Programs that approach the conceptual issues and promote the space for experiential learning could be effective in communication skills training for professionals.PROSPERO: CRD42019129384

Highlights

Communication skills are essential for health professionals to establish a positive relationship with their patients, improving their health and quality of life
Programs that approach the conceptual issues and promote the space for experiential learning could be effective in communication skills training for professionals
Improvements were observed in the performance and self-efficacy of professionals with regard to communication skills, through different teaching strategies, involving experiential activities, which are fundamental for the improvement of care and for patient-centered attention

Summary

Introduction

Communication skills are essential for health professionals to establish a positive relationship with their patients, improving their health and quality of life. In this perspective, communication skills training can be effective strategies to improve the care provided by professionals in patient care and the quality of health services. Communication skills (CS) consist of the efficient transmission of information, including verbal communication, such as speech units and listening strategies, and nonverbal communication, such as gestures and expressions, eye contact and body language. The emotional aspects that involve communication with the patient are presented as a challenge for professionals and health services [8]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion