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Interprofessional Learning to Improve Communication in Challenging Healthcare Conversations: What Clinicians Learn
Sigall K Bell1, Thorsten Langer, Donna Luff
1Dr. Bell: Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and Associate Professor, Institute for Professionalism and Ethical Practice, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Dr. Langer: Research Associate, Institute for Professionalism and Ethical Practice, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and Attending in Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Center for Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. Dr. Luff: Associate Director, Institute for Professionalism and Ethical Practice, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Dr. Rider: Director of Academic Programs, Assistant Professor, Institute for Professionalism and Ethical Practice, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, Director of Academic Programs, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and Director of Academic Programs, Assistant Professor, Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA. Dr. Brandano: Senior Clinical Coordinator, Institute for Professionalism and Ethical Practice, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and Senior Clinical Coordinator, Department of Psychology, Simmons College, Boston, MA. Dr. Meyer: Senior Attending Psychologist, Associate Professor, Institute for Professionalism and Ethical Practice, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, and Senior Attending Psychologist, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA.
Interprofessional learning in communication skills training enhances collaboration among healthcare professionals. This collaborative approach fosters teamwork, patient-centered care, and a deeper understanding of diverse professional roles and challenges.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Education
- Interprofessional Collaboration
- Communication Skills Training
Background:
- Contemporary healthcare relies on interprofessional collaboration, yet opportunities for joint learning are limited.
- Effective communication and relational skills are crucial for navigating complex healthcare interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the educational value of interprofessional learning experiences.
- To evaluate participants' views on learning communication and relational skills with mixed healthcare professional colleagues.
Main Methods:
- 783 participants attended 46 workshops on challenging conversations between 2010-2013.
- Quantitative and qualitative data collected via pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up surveys.
- Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests analyzed quantitative data; content analysis used for qualitative responses.
Main Results:
- 96% of 722 respondents found interprofessional colleagues valuable for learning.
- Key themes identified: Stronger Teamwork, Patient-Centered Focus, Specific Communication Skills, Content-Specific Knowledge, Shared Global Values.
- 64% reported improved interprofessional collaboration after 3 months.
Conclusions:
- Communication skills training provides a valuable platform for interprofessional learning.
- Sustained positive attitudes towards collaboration are generated through shared learning experiences.
- Clinicians gain enhanced understanding of roles, communication strategies, and collaborative community, centering patient care.
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