All providers Better Communication Skills (ABCs) program: protocol for a randomized controlled trial assessing...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Communication
• Medical Education
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Healthcare professionals (HCPs) find communication during serious illness challenging.
• High-quality, person-centered communication benefits patients, families, and HCPs.
• Existing programs may not fully address interprofessional communication needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the 'All providers Better Communication Skills' (ABCs) online blended learning program.
• To assess the impact of the ABCs program on clinician skill acquisition and behavior change.
• To investigate an interprofessional, person-centered educational philosophy for communication skills.

Main Methods:

• A Canada-wide prospective stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial with interprofessional HCPs.
• Primary outcome: expert rater assessment of video-recorded Standardized Patient (SP) encounters using the Assessment of Clinical Encounters - Communication Tool.
• Secondary outcomes: self-efficacy, competence, patient-reported interaction quality, and program usability via validated measures and interviews.

Main Results:

• The study is designed to measure changes in communication skills and related outcomes.
• Data collection involves pre- and post-intervention assessments.
• Analysis will focus on the impact of the ABCs program on HCP communication competence.

Conclusions:

• This national trial will provide evidence on improving communication for serious illness.
• Enhanced communication skills can lead to better patient understanding, goal alignment, and care experiences.
• Findings will support health system strengthening through improved patient-provider interactions.