Families as educators: a family-centered approach to teaching communication skills to neonatology fellows.

Creator(s)

Danielle Parham
Danielle Reed, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Arielle Olicker
Fey Parrill
J Sharma, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Jessica Brunkhorst, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Janelle R. Noel-Macdonnell PhD, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Kristin Voos, Children's Mercy Hospital

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2019

Identifier

DOI: 10.1038/s41372-019-0441-7

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the use of family members as educators in a structured educational intervention would increase neonatology fellows' confidence in performing core communication skills targeted to guide family decision-making.

STUDY DESIGN: Neonatology fellows at two centers participated in simulation-based training utilizing formally trained family members of former patients. Fellows completed self-assessment surveys before participating, immediately following participation, and 1-month following the training. Family members also evaluated fellow communication.

RESULTS: For each core competency assessed, there was a statistically significant increase in self-perceived preparedness from pre-course to post-course assessments. Fellows additionally endorsed using skills learned in the curriculum in daily clinical practice. Family educators rated fellow communication highest in empathetic listening and nonverbal communication.

CONCLUSIONS: Participation in a communication skills curriculum utilizing formally trained family members as educators for medical trainees successfully increased fellows' self-perceived preparedness in selected core competencies in communication. Family educators provided useful, generalizable feedback.

Journal Title

Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association

Volume

39

Issue

10

First Page

1392

Last Page

1398

MeSH Keywords

Communication; Curriculum; Decision Making, Shared; Education, Medical, Graduate; Family; Fellowships and Scholarships; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Neonatology; Professional Competence; Professional-Family Relations; Self-Assessment; Simulation Training

Keywords

Communication; Curriculum; Shared Decision Making; Graduate Medical Education; Professional Competence; Professional-Family Relations

Recommended Citation

Parham D, Reed D, Olicker A, et al. Families as educators: a family-centered approach to teaching communication skills to neonatology fellows. J Perinatol. 2019;39(10):1392-1398. doi:10.1038/s41372-019-0441-7