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

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a brief training program in relational/communication skills (RCS) for medical residents.

Methods: This 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).

Results: After 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.

Conclusion: This 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 implications: Brief RCS training programs adopting multiple approaches, should be offered as mandatory during residency programs.