Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2025
06:28
E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
8.3K
Study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial on simulation-based communication training for pediatric
Paul Padovani1,2, Quentin Hauet3,4, Bruno Lefort5,6
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, FHU PRECICARE, Nantes, F-44000, France. padovanipaul17@gmail.com.
BMC Medical Education
|November 7, 2024
Summary
This study introduces simulation-based training to enhance communication skills for pediatric cardiology trainees. Involving parents in training aims to improve patient-centered care for children with congenital heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Communication Skills Training
Background:
- Effective physician-patient communication is vital for compassionate healthcare, especially when delivering difficult diagnoses like congenital heart disease.
- Medical practitioners encounter challenges in communicating complex medical information, leading to gaps in patient understanding and care.
- This study addresses the need for improved communication strategies in pediatric cardiology, particularly for trainees.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate a simulation-based training protocol designed to enhance the communication skills of pediatric cardiology trainees.
- To foster humanistic, patient-centered care through targeted communication training in standard medical practice.
- To explore the efficacy of simulation in improving communication during diagnostic counseling for congenital heart disease.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, open-label randomized controlled trial involving pediatric cardiology trainees across 10 French universities.
- The SIMUL-CHD intervention utilizes simulation with standardized patients to train communication skills, with patients and caregivers recruited via the "Petit Cœur de Beurre" association.
- The primary outcome is physician communication quality, assessed by a blinded evaluation committee reviewing video recordings; secondary outcomes include empathy and anxiety levels in trainees.
Main Results:
- The study is designed to measure the impact of simulation-based training on physician communication skills.
- It will compare baseline and post-intervention scores to quantify improvements in communication, empathy, and anxiety.
- Results will indicate the effectiveness of the SIMUL-CHD intervention compared to theory-based training.
Conclusions:
- Simulation-based training shows potential for teaching non-technical skills like communication in pediatric cardiology, an area previously unexplored.
- The unique inclusion of experienced parents in the training offers valuable insights into the emotional and practical challenges faced by families.
- This approach can enhance the delivery of compassionate and patient-centered care in pediatric cardiology settings.
