Annual Structured Communication Skills Training for Surgery Residents

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Communication Skills

Background:

• Formalized communication curricula are lacking in surgical training programs.
• Effective communication is crucial for patient care and surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of annual communication skill-building workshops on surgical residents' self-reported preparedness.
• To assess the long-term benefits of repeated communication training.

Main Methods:

• General surgery and cardiothoracic surgery residents participated in annual 2-hour workshops (2017-2021).
• Anonymous pre- and post-session surveys using a 5-point Likert scale assessed preparedness.
• Responses were analyzed based on workshop experience: 0, 1, or 2+ years.

Main Results:

• Self-reported preparedness scores improved across all experience groups after workshops.
• Scores were significantly higher with increased years of workshop experience (P < 0.001).
• Residents reported overwhelmingly positive evaluations of the communication curriculum.

Conclusions:

• Yearly communication skills practice enhances surgical residents' preparedness for serious illness communication.
• Repetitive training reinforces and improves communication skills over time.
• Annual workshops are vital for developing essential communication competencies in surgical residents.