Implementation of a direct observation and feedback tool using an interprofessional approach: a pilot study.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Professions Education
• Communication Skills Training

Background:

• Effective communication is crucial for primary care trainees during patient encounters.
• Direct observation and feedback are essential for skill development.
• There is a growing need for interprofessional learning opportunities in graduate health professions programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of implementing the Patient Centered Observation Form (PCOF) for interprofessional communication skills training.
• To evaluate the PCOF's impact on trainee and faculty confidence in patient-centered communication.

Main Methods:

• The PCOF was introduced to graduate trainees from three professions (medicine, pharmacy, nursing) at an interprofessional workshop.
• Faculty received PCOF training online or in person.
• Post-implementation surveys assessed trainee confidence in communication and faculty confidence in providing feedback.

Main Results:

• The PCOF was found to be a valuable addition to standard precepting for teaching patient-centered communication skills.
• The tool demonstrated effectiveness for medical and pharmacy residents, and to a lesser extent, for advanced practice nursing students.
• Simultaneous PCOF training and implementation across disciplines was feasible and promoted interprofessional learning.

Conclusions:

• The PCOF is a feasible and effective tool for enhancing patient-centered communication skills across multiple health professions.
• The study highlights the benefits of interprofessional training using standardized observation tools.
• The PCOF facilitates resource leveraging and fosters collaborative learning environments in graduate health education.