Process Rounds to Elevate Psychological Skills in Palliative Care

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care Medicine
• Psychology
• Medical Education

Background:

• A prior workshop improved palliative care clinicians' integration of psychological concepts in serious illness communication.
• The workshop highlighted a need for ongoing, longitudinal learning opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot "Process Rounds," a four-session, case-based psychotherapeutic supervision group.
• To reinforce key concepts like formulation, countertransference, and mindful intervention in serious illness communication.

Main Methods:

• 25 palliative care clinicians from four cohorts participated in the pilot.
• The program consisted of four 60-minute sessions delivered over 6-8 weeks.
• Data were collected via post-workshop surveys and facilitator interviews.

Main Results:

• Participants reported high satisfaction with Process Rounds.
• Attendees showed greater improvement in comfort teaching formulation compared to non-attendees (p = 0.013).
• Process Rounds participants reported a stronger clinical impact (p = 0.028).

Conclusions:

• Process Rounds, an adapted psychotherapeutic supervision model, is acceptable to palliative care clinicians.
• This intervention effectively deepened learning in psychologically informed serious illness communication.