Needs assessment for a curriculum for difficult conversations -a survey from 5 Chinese accredited neurology residency training programs

BMC Medical Education

Xin Cheng¹  Ming Yao²  Liying Cui²  Jun Ni²  Yicheng Zhu²  Lixin Zhou²  Bin Peng²  Bo Hu³  Bo Wu⁴  Liyong Wu⁵ 

[1] Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China;Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Science (CAMS) and Peking Union Medical College (PUMC), 100730, Beijing, China;Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China;Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China;Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China;

关键词: Neurology residency training;    Communication skill;    Difficult conversation;    Curriculum develop;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12909-020-02246-7

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundCommunication skill is a core competency in neurology residency training. Specific training in this area at the residency level is often lacking, especially regarding difficult conversations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the current state in teaching residents about difficult conversations in 5 Chinese accredited neurology residency training programs and determine whether there is a perceived need for a formalized curriculum in this field.MethodsAn anonymous, 27-question, cross-sectional online survey addressing difficult conversations for neurological residents were distributed to five grade-A, class-3 hospitals selected from the affiliated teaching hospitals of medical schools qualified to provide neurology residency training in China.ResultsA total of 182 residents responded to the survey, and the response rate was 67.16% (182/271). Of the participants, 84.6% were female and the average age was 26.8 years. The majority of respondent residents (n = 168; 92.31%) reported being exposed to at least one difficult conversation in their medical careers. Only 43 (23.63%) participants reported having previously received formal communication skills training. In comparison with residents without previous training, those with previous training indicated significantly more confidence (P = 0.003) and were under lower pressure (P = 0.037) in managing difficult conversations. Only 97 (53.3%) residents indicated interest in receiving formal training. Time, lack of enthusiasm, lack of educational materials and faculty expertise were commonly cited barriers to formalized training.ConclusionThis survey provides a preliminary assessment of the current status of education on the topic of difficult conversations in five accredited Chinese neurology residency training programs. Our results suggest that there is an unmet need to further develop and implement educational activities by teaching residents to lead difficult conversations. Future efforts should be made to establish and promote a standard and targeted communication curriculum in difficult conversation for Chinese neurological residents.

【 授权许可】

CC BY