Communication a key skill for palliative medicine fellows: Development and evaluation of an Australasian training module

The AChPM Curriculum Development Group identified communication as a core skill that trainees in Palliative Medicine (PM) need to acquire, and proposed the development of a communication-skills module that should become a compulsory part of training to achieve accreditation as a PM Specialist via the AChPM/RACP. A working group of five PM specialists and one communications-skills expert (PS) was formed to lead the development of the module. This presentation aims to describe the development and subsequent evaluation of this module.

The content and delivery of the module was based on a review of the best available evidence-base for communication-skills training, sound educational principles and a world-wide search for the most applicable models. A three-day communication module and an accompanying train-the-trainer module for future facilitators were developed in collaboration with three expert communications-skills facilitators from USA (http://depts.washington.edu/oncotalk/). The teaching consists of: short presentations providing an evidence-based framework for communication; experiential learning in a safe environment using clinically relevant cases that progress over time; opportunities to practice communication skills with simulated patients with self-appraisal and small group feedback, discussions about difficult areas with other clinicians: and accompanying course specific written material.

Forty one participants completed the training module in two workshops held in 2008 and 2009. Participants completed de-identified questionnaires pre-, post- and three-months following completion of the workshop. All participants said the training was useful, would he helpful for their communication with patients and they would recommend the training to others. Qualitative feedback was highly positive; e.g. "I can see skills developing that I will use for years;" "This kind of training changes practice and changes outcomes for patients." Self-assessed confidence in communication-skills significantly increased post workshop (p<.001) and was sustained at three months (p<.001). In conclusion/ the training is highly valued by participants and appears to increase confidence in communication skills.