International Journal of Health Sciences

Interventions to Promote a Patient-Centered Approach in Clinical Consultations: Improving the Physician-Patient Communication Skills of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals’ Residents and Fellows
Voichita Bar-Ad, MD; Tu Dan, MD; Jennifer Arfaa; John McAna; Nicholas G. Zaorsky, MD; John Caruso, MD; Richard Jacoby, MD; Christopher Skidmore, MD; Austin Katona; Bettina Berman; Mark Hurwitz, MD; Elisabeth J.S. Kunkel, MD

Abstract
Background: Patient-centered communication is a critical component of patient-centered care. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a training course in patient-communication.
Materials: A training course for resident physicians and fellows was initiated in 2011. The course utilized the Acknowledge, Introduction, Duration, Explanation, Thanking (AIDETTM) framework. In the quarter year following the training, a survey was sent to evaluate the trainees’ self-assessed physician-patient communication skills.
Results: Of the 885 trainees who received the survey, 241 responded (response rate, 27%). Those attending the AIDETTM training were significantly more likely to report that they praised the care provided by other teams (p=0.01) and to leave contact information for the patient (p=0.02). In addition, those who underwent AIDETTM training were more likely to report that they received adequate communication skills training during residency and fellowship (p=0.045).
Conclusions: AIDETTM training is associated with better scores on self-assessed physician-patient communication skills.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijhs.v3n2a4