'Difficult Conversations': evaluation of multiprofessional training

Area of Science:

• Healthcare communication
• Professional development
• Patient care

Background:

• Effective communication is crucial for seriously ill patients and families.
• Evidence-based communication skills training is essential for health and social care professionals.
• The 'Difficult Conversations' workshop was developed to address this need.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the self-reported impact of the 'Difficult Conversations' workshop.
• To gather feedback for future workshop development and evaluation.
• To assess changes in confidence, knowledge, and skills among participants.

Main Methods:

• A service evaluation was conducted using pre- and post-workshop questionnaires.
• Data were collected from February 2015 to August 2016.
• Qualitative feedback was obtained through free-text comments and subjected to content analysis.

Main Results:

• Participants (n=886) included general practitioners, nurses, social care professionals, and allied health professionals.
• Significant increases were observed in self-assessed confidence (P<0.001), knowledge (P<0.001), and skills (P<0.001).
• Participants valued role-play, communication frameworks, facilitator skills, and interprofessional learning.

Conclusions:

• The 'Difficult Conversations' workshop is associated with improved self-assessed confidence, knowledge, and skills.
• Workshop characteristics like role-play and interprofessional learning are well-received by multidisciplinary trainees.
• Further research is needed to confirm effectiveness and identify key components driving change.