scholarly journals Communications Skills in the Pharmacy Profession: A Cross Sectional Survey of UK Registered Pharmacists and Pharmacy Educators

Pharmacy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahraa Jalal ◽  
Anthony Cox ◽  
Neera Goel ◽  
Nikita Vaitha ◽  
Kathryn King ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Consultation Skills ◽  
Communications Skills

Objectives: To determine UK pharmacists’ experiences of their current communication skills and undergraduate training and to identify communication skills training and teaching at UK schools of pharmacy. Methods: Two surveys were developed. The first survey was sent to UK practicing pharmacists examining their current communication skills and interest in behavioural counselling techniques such as Motivational Interviewing (MI). A second survey was sent to all UK Schools of Pharmacy investigating communication skills training and teaching. Results: In the first survey pharmacists reported low satisfaction with their undergraduate communication skills training. A convenience sample of 109 UK pharmacists responded to the first survey. Forty-four per cent (n = 48) of the respondents stated that they continued their professional development in communication skills after an undergraduate degree. Seventy (65.4%) were not familiar with behavioural counselling techniques such as MI. The most common patient consultation delivered by pharmacists was around adherence to medicine 22.4% (n = 50). Pharmacists expressed a need for further training in clinical areas such as mental health 25.7% (n = 80). Results from the second survey to pharmacy schools showed that Schools of Pharmacy response rate was 60% (18/30). All 18 schools stated that they teach health behaviour change consultation skills and this is mostly delivered by a clinical pharmacist. Teaching communication skills was mostly delivered as role play with peers (n = 17). Conclusion: This first national survey of communication skills training in Schools of Pharmacy shows that newer graduates have received more communication training compared to older graduates, however pharmacists’ respondents still felt that they were under prepared for behaviour change patient consultations. MI training would be welcomed by those. Practice Implications: Structured courses in communication skills, including behavioural change techniques, are needed for practicing UK pharmacists.

scholarly journals Education Research: Difficult conversations in neurology

Neurology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica E. Lemmon ◽  
Charlene Gamaldo ◽  
Rachel Marie E. Salas ◽  
Ankita Saxena ◽  
Tiana E. Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Difficult Conversations ◽  
Perceived Preparedness ◽  
Terminal Diagnosis ◽  
Prognostic Uncertainty

ObjectiveTo characterize features of medical student exposure to difficult conversations during a neurology core clerkship.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional concurrent nested mixed methods study, and all students rotating through a required neurology clerkship between 2014 and 2015 were enrolled. Data collection included an electronic communication tracker, baseline and end-of-clerkship surveys, and 4 facilitated focus groups. Students were asked to log exposure to patient–clinician conversations about (1) new disability, (2) poor prognosis, (3) prognostic uncertainty (4), terminal diagnosis, and (5) end-of-life care.ResultsA total of 159 students were enrolled and 276 conversations were tracked. Most (70%) students observed at least 1 difficult conversation, and conversations about poor prognosis, new disability, and prognostic uncertainty were most commonly logged. At clerkship end, most students (87%) desired additional bedside training in communication skills. Exposure to one of the predefined conversation types did not improve student perceived preparedness to lead difficult conversations in the future. In focus groups, students noted that the educational value of observation of a difficult conversation could be optimized with preconversation planning and postconversation debriefing.ConclusionsDifficult conversations are common in neurology, and represent a valuable opportunity to provide communication skills training on the wards. Future curricula should consider ways to leverage these existing opportunities to enhance communication skills training.

scholarly journals Communication skills in the training of psychiatrists: A systematic review of current approaches

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 675-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippa Ditton-Phare ◽  
Carmel Loughland ◽  
Robbert Duvivier ◽  
Brian Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trials ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Training Programmes

Objectives: A range of communication skills training programmes have been developed targeting trainees in various medical specialties, predominantly in oncology but to a lesser extent in psychiatry. Effective communication is fundamental to the assessment and treatment of psychiatric conditions, but there has been less attention to this in clinical practice for psychiatrists in training. This review examines the outcomes of communication skills training interventions in psychiatric specialty training. Methods: The published English-language literature was examined using multiple online databases, grey literature and hand searches. The review was conducted and reported using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Studies examining the efficacy of communication skills training were included. Randomised controlled trials, pseudo-randomised studies and quasi-experimental studies, as well as observational analytical studies and qualitative studies that met criteria, were selected and critically appraised. No limits were applied for date of publication up until 16 July 2016. Results: Total search results yielded 2574 records. Of these, 12 studies were identified and reviewed. Two were randomised controlled trials and the remaining 10 were one-group pretest/posttest designs or posttest-only designs, including self-report evaluations of communication skills training and objective evaluations of trainee skills. There were no studies with outcomes related to behaviour change or patient outcomes. Two randomised controlled trials reported an improvement in clinician empathy and psychotherapeutic interviewing skills due to specific training protocols focused on those areas. Non-randomised studies showed varying levels of skills gains and self-reported trainee satisfaction ratings with programmes, with the intervention being some form of communication skills training. Conclusion: The heterogeneity of communication skills training is a barrier to evaluating the efficacy of different communication skills training programmes. Further validation studies examining specific models and frameworks would support a stronger evidence base for communication skills training in psychiatry. It remains a challenge to develop research to investigate behaviour change over time in clinical practice or to measure patient outcomes due to the effects of communication skills training.

An Audio-Taped Consciousness-Raising Group for Women: Evaluation of the Process Dimension

1979 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ballou ◽  
Jeanette Reuter ◽  
Thomas Dinero
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Communication Training ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Women's Issues ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
Consciousness Raising ◽  
Supportive Environment ◽  
Communications Skills ◽  
Process Dimension

This study describes the development and assessment of an audio-taped women's consciousness-raising program. Two components of the program were communications skills training and the explorations of women's issues. These two components were designed to accomplish four goals: the development of effective communication; an awareness of the issues facing women; the discovery of new options for behavior; and the establishment of a supportive environment. Twenty-seven volunteer women were assigned to three groups, each of which received a different combination of the two components. Using ratings and structured descriptive narratives by trained experienced observers, progress toward the aforementioned goals was measured in each group. The group that only received the communications training component made steady significant progress over time toward all four goals. The group that received both the communication training and women's issues components made significant progress toward two goals: the development of effective communications and the discovery of new options for behavior. The group that received only the women's issues component made no apparent progress toward any of the goals. The results point toward the effectiveness of this audio-taped program and the importance of including communication skills training in consciousness-raising programs.

scholarly journals Perceptions of UK Community Pharmacists on Current Consultation Skills and Motivational Interviewing as a Consultation Approach: A Qualitative Study

Pharmacy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 52
Author(s):  
Zahraa Jalal ◽  
Sania Akhtar ◽  
Katherine Finlay ◽  
Kathryn King ◽  
Neera Goel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motivational Interviewing ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Personal Communication ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Pharmacy Staff ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Consultation Skills

Objectives: Community pharmacists’ roles in the UK are evolving; pharmacists currently deliver a wider range of clinical services with more patient-focused care. The objectives of this study were (i) to investigate UK community pharmacists’ views on their current communication skills in pharmacist-patient facing consultations, and (ii) to explore the perceptions of UK community pharmacists towards the application of motivational interviewing (MI) in a pharmacy consultation. In-depth qualitative face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with ten practicing community pharmacists were carried out, ranging from 30–60 min in length. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was employed. Four themes emerged from the data: (1) the fight for time; (2) wrestling with consultation styles; (3) a personal communication evolution; and (4) unfamiliar but engaging motivational interviewing. These themes demonstrated the juxtaposition between the desire for patient-centred care and the pressures of managing broader dispensing work. Participants were critical of academic and continuous professional learning (CPD) training in communication skills and there was a strong recognition of the potential role of MI in promoting patient autonomy and outcomes. Participants recognized a few elements of MI techniques in their current consultations, but welcomed further training on behavioral change for effective consultations, expressing a desire for practical MI-specific training. Face-to-face CPD of consultation skills is needed to avoid the feeling of isolation among UK practicing pharmacists and rigidity in consultation delivery. Support for community pharmacists from other pharmacy staff could relieve current pressures and allow pharmacists time to develop and acquire effective skills for patient facing roles. Behavioural change consultation skills training for pharmacists could be an effective strategy to address these current challenges.

Critical Care Communication Skills Training for Internal Medicine Residents

MedEdPORTAL ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Rock ◽  
Nina Gadmer ◽  
Robert Arnold ◽  
David Roberts ◽  
Asha Anandaiah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Internal Medicine Residents

scholarly journals P033: Procedural skills training in emergency medicine physicians within the Edmonton zone: a needs assessment

CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S76-S76
Author(s):  
R. Schonnop ◽  
B. Stauffer ◽  
A. Gauri ◽  
D. Ha
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Continuing Professional Development ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Procedural Skill ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Procedural Skills ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Region ◽  
Perceived Importance

Introduction: Procedural skills are a key component of an emergency physician's practice. The Edmonton Zone is a health region that comprises twelve tertiary, urban community and rural community emergency departments (EDs) and represents over three hundred emergency physicians. This study describes the current attitudes toward procedural skill competency, current procedural skill practices, and the role for educational skills training sessions among emergency medicine physicians within a geographical health region. Methods: Multicenter descriptive cross-sectional survey of all emergency medicine physicians working at 12 emergency departments within the Edmonton Zone in 2019 (n = 274). The survey underwent several phases of systematic review; including item generation and reduction, pilot testing, and clinical sensibility testing. Survey items addressed current procedural skill performance frequency, perceived importance and confidence, current methods to maintain competence, barriers and facilitating factors to participation in a curriculum, preferred teaching methods, and desired frequency of practice for each procedural skill. Results: Survey response rate was 53.6%. Variability in frequency of performed procedures was apparent across the type of hospital sites. For majority of skills, there was a significantly positive correlation between the frequency at which a skill was performed and the perceived confidence performing said skill. There was inconsistency and no significant correlation with perceived importance, perceived confidence, or frequency performing a given skill and the desired frequency of training for that skill. Course availability (76.2%) and time (72.8%) are the most common identified barriers to participation in procedural skills training. Conclusion: This study summarized the current emergency department procedural skill practices and attitudes toward procedural skill competency and an educational curriculum among emergency medicine physicians in Edmonton. This represents a step towards targeted continuing professional development in the growing realm of competency-based medical education.

Effect of Communication Skills Training Program for Oncologists Based on Patient Preferences for Communication When Receiving Bad News: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (20) ◽  
pp. 2166-2172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maiko Fujimori ◽  
Yuki Shirai ◽  
Mariko Asai ◽  
Kaoru Kubota ◽  
Noriyuki Katsumata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Patient Preferences ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Communication Performance

Purpose The aim of this study was to identify the effects of a communication skills training (CST) program for oncologists, developed based on patient preferences regarding oncologists' communication. Participants and Methods Thirty oncologists were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (IG; 2-day CST workshop) or control group (CG). Participants were assessed on their communication performance during simulated consultation and their confidence in communicating with patients at baseline and follow-up. A total of 1,192 patients (response rate, 84.6%) who had consultations with the participating oncologists at baseline and/or follow-up were assessed regarding their distress using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, satisfaction with the consultation, and trust in their oncologist after the consultation. Results At the follow-up survey, the performance scores of the IG had improved significantly, in terms of their emotional support (P = .011), setting up a supportive environment (P = .002), and ability to deliver information (P = .001), compared with those of the CG. Oncologists in the IG were rated higher at follow-up than those in the CG in terms of their confidence in themselves (P = .001). Patients who met with oncologists after they had undergone the CST were significantly less depressed than those who met with oncologists in the CG (P = .027). However, the CST program did not affect patient satisfaction with oncologists' style of communication. Conclusion A CST program based on patient preferences is effective for both oncologists and patients with cancer. Oncologists should consider CST as an approach to enhancing their communication skills.

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