AimTo investigate the impact of site-specific inter-professional small-group communication skills training (CST) that incorporates critical incident approaches to learning on patient satisfaction with communication.SettingRehabilitation clinic specialized for spinal cord injury/disorder (SCI/D).MethodsRetrospective observational cohort study design using patient and health-professional self-report data. Data for patient satisfaction with communication were collected in 2014 (existing records) and each year from 2015 to 2021 (post-program; volunteers) using the MECON survey.ResultsFifteen basic (n = 161 participants), 16 refresher (n = 84), and five short (n = 17) CST seminars were conducted. Overall, 262 employees (105 physicians, 63 nurses, 36 physio- and occupational therapists, and 58 others) participated; 92 participants (response rate 37.6%) responded to feedback surveys. They rated the seminars positive concerning the alternation between theory, discussion, and practical exercise in 91.3%, and rated the length of the training ideal in 80.2%. Post-program patient satisfaction overall increased from 83.1% (confidence interval (CI) 2.6%) to 90% (CI 0.8%; R2 = 0.776; p= 0.004). It was higher in specific communication-related topics: “receiving information” (81.1%, CI 3.1–90.2%, CI 1.0%; p = 0.003), “being able to bring in concerns” (83%, CI 1.0–90.8%; R2 = 0.707; p = 0.009) and “being treated with respect” (89.4%, CI 2.6–94.4%, CI 0.8%; R2 = 0.708; p = 0.004).Practice implicationsInter-professional CST is feasible and well accepted by professionals from various professional groups. During seven years of continuous training, independent patient ratings of satisfaction with professional communication have improved significantly. Participants attest to the training's high credibility and usefulness in everyday life.

Objectives: To characterize the services of a rehabilitation centre specialized in spinal cord injury/disorder (SCI/D) using the International Classification of Service Organization in Rehabilitation (ICSO-R) 2.0, and to evaluate its potential use in meeting health reporting and certification requirements.Methods: The post-acute and outpatient rehabilitation services at this specialized SCI/D centre were described, the SCI/D Framework of rehabilitation service type definitions considered, various rehabilitation centre stakeholders were consulted, and data were collected using the centre’s digital quality management system and institutional management tool. A structured internet search identified the national health reporting and certification systems relevant for SCI/D rehabilitation. The resulting systems were subsequently mapped with ICSO-R 2.0 categories.Results: ICSO-R 2.0 categories pertaining to the provider dimension were generally the same across the post-acute and outpatient services. ICSO-R 2.0 highlighted the nuances in service delivery between these 2 service types. Most of the categories could be mapped to at least 1 of the 10 health reporting and certification systems detected in the website search.Conclusion: ICSO-R 2.0 can be used to comprehensively describe the rehabilitation services of a specialized SCI/D centre in Switzerland. Despite some challenges, ISCO-R 2.0 has the potential to facilitate national health reporting and certification.