Self-Assessment Scores Improve After Simulation-Based Palliative Care Communication Skill Workshops

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Communication Skills Training
• Palliative Care

Background:

• A simulation-based workshop, Codetalk, was developed to enhance palliative care communication skills.
• While standardized patient assessments showed improvement, patient and family feedback did not.
• This study focuses on trainees' self-assessments of communication competence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the Codetalk intervention on trainees' self-assessed communication competence in palliative care.

Main Methods:

• A randomized trial involving 472 trainees from internal medicine, subspecialties, and advanced practice nursing programs.
• Participants were randomized to either the Codetalk workshop or usual education.
• Self-assessed competence was measured at the beginning and end of the academic year using robust linear regression models.

Main Results:

• The Codetalk intervention significantly improved trainees' overall self-assessment of communication competence (P < .001).
• Improvements were noted in self-assessments of expressing empathy, discussing spiritual issues, and eliciting goals of care.
• No significant difference was observed in one specific skill indicator.

Conclusions:

• Simulation-based communication training, like Codetalk, is associated with enhanced self-perceived competence in palliative care communication.
• Further research is necessary to correlate self-assessed competence with other outcome measures and understand its limitations.