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A Simulation-Based Workshop to Improve Dermatologists' Communication Skills: A Pilot for Continuing Medical Education
Lina Saeed1, Isabelle M Sanchez1, Nina C Botto1
1Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Dermatology and Therapy
|November 19, 2018
Summary
This study shows a communication workshop effectively trained dermatologists in patient encounters. Key areas for improvement include patient narrative, history summarization, and assessing patient understanding for better physician-patient communication.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Communication Skills Training
- Dermatology
Background:
- Effective communication is crucial for healthcare quality and patient experience, impacting provider reimbursement.
- Practicing physicians have limited opportunities for direct feedback on communication during patient encounters.
- This study addresses the need for structured communication skills development in medical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a simulation-based workshop for dermatologists to practice and receive feedback on communication skills.
- To assess the effectiveness of simulated patient encounters in improving physician communication.
- To identify specific communication areas needing further development in dermatology.
Main Methods:
- 103 dermatologists participated in a workshop with four simulated patient encounters in March 2016.
- Standardized patient educators used the Master Interview Rating Scale to evaluate communication and provide feedback.
- Participants completed a post-workshop survey rating the simulation and feedback usefulness.
Main Results:
- The workshop successfully met its learning objectives, with high ratings (4.5-4.6/5).
- Lowest-rated communication skills included: allowing patient narrative (3.1), summarizing history (3.8), and assessing patient understanding (3.8).
- The simulation provided valuable practice and feedback for physician communication skills.
Conclusions:
- The communication workshop met its learning objectives and was highly rated by participants.
- Continuing medical education workshops enhance physician-patient communication, benefiting both parties.
- Identified low-scoring areas offer opportunities for developing targeted physician-patient communication curricula.