Improving communication skills--a randomized controlled behaviorally oriented intervention study for residents in...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Communication Skills Training
• Internal Medicine Residency

Background:

• Effective patient-centered communication is crucial in Internal Medicine.
• Traditional medical education may not adequately address specific communication skills.
• Behaviorally oriented interventions offer a potential method for skill development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if a time-limited, behaviorally oriented intervention can teach patient-centered communication skills to Internal Medicine residents.
• To assess the impact of the intervention on residents' ability to elicit medical information and discuss treatment feasibility.

Main Methods:

• Internal Medicine residents were randomized into an intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG).
• The IG received 22.5 hours of communication training over 6 months, in addition to standard medical education.
• Simulated patient interviews were conducted at baseline and 10 months, rated by blinded assessors using the Maastricht History and Advice Checklist-Revised.

Main Results:

• The intervention group (IG) showed substantial improvements in various communication skills compared to the control group (CG).
• Both groups demonstrated improvement in identifying the amount of medical information and communicating about treatment feasibility.
• The training intervention positively impacted specific communication competencies beyond general professional experience.

Conclusions:

• Patient-centered communication skills can be effectively taught to Internal Medicine residents via targeted interventions.
• While professional experience enhances information gathering and treatment communication, the intervention provides additional benefits.
• This study supports the integration of specific communication skills training into residency programs.