Jim Deming, MD; Patty Horecki, RN; Rebecca Brustad, MA; Lisa Quinn-Lee, PhD, MSSW, LICSW; Meg Lagunas, PhD, MEd, RN, CCRN, CHSE; Zach Merten, MD; Terri Nordin, MD
Published online in advance April 1, 2024.
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ABSTRACT
Introduction: COVID-19 ended in-person communication training workshops at our institution, so we sought to provide a way for family medicine residents to hone their telephone and audio-visual skills online.
Methods: We developed a 2-hour online workshop where residents practiced delivering serious news to family members via telephone or videoconferencing call and measured participant confidence via pre-, post-, and 6-month surveys.
Results: Participant confidence in delivering serious news via telephone and videoconferencing increased. Sustained confidence at 6-month follow-up was not confirmed.
Discussion/Conclusions: Offering an online opportunity to practice delivering serious news by telephone or videoconferencing call appears to be a successful way to bolster confidence. Participants found using realistic scenarios and discussion of best practices most helpful.