Improving Compassionate Communication Through a Train-the-Trainer Model: Outcomes and Mechanisms for Transformation

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Communication in Healthcare
• Arts and Humanities in Medicine

Background:

• Compassionate communication is vital for positive patient-clinician relationships, trust, and adherence, yet it is often lacking.
• Innovative educational programs are needed to improve compassionate communication in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Sanford Compassionate Communication Academy Fellowship at UC San Diego Health.
• To assess the fellowship's impact on clinicians' compassionate communication skills and identify transformative mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• A 60-hour arts and humanities fellowship was evaluated using Kirkpatrick's 4-level model.
• 27 fellows participated, utilizing improvisation, theater, narrative reflection, and other arts-based methods.
• Data from field notes and interviews (January 2022-November 2023) were analyzed through the lens of transformative learning theory.

Main Results:

• Five key themes emerged: empathic listening, pacing, checking for understanding, improved teaching/mentoring, and transformation mechanisms.
• Fellows reported transformed communication with patients and students.
• Six innovative transformation mechanisms were identified: dedicated time, reflective practice, safe environment, arts integration, interdisciplinary co-learning, and train-the-trainer model.

Conclusions:

• The fellowship positively impacted clinicians' compassionate communication skills.
• Further mixed-methods studies including patient/student perspectives are recommended.
• The fellowship will be offered to other institutions, with comparisons of delivery modalities and durations.