Should ophthalmologists receive communication skills training in breaking bad news?

Zakrzewski, Peter A.; Ho, Adelyn L.; Braga-Mele, Rosa

doi:10.3129/i08-087

Cited by 15 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…[10] Another study done by Zakrzewskiet al also supports that formal CS training in breaking bad news should be included during ophthalmology residency. [11] Aspegren in his guide on CS stated that CS can be taught at courses, are learnt, but are also easily forgotten if not maintained by practice. [12] This concern was also shared by our students.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and introduction of a communication skills module for postgraduate students of ophthalmology

Bhagat

Prajapati

Bhatt

et al. 2019

Indian J Ophthalmol

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Purpose:Effective communication lies at the heart of a patient--doctor relationship. Communication skills (CS) teaching and assessment is not a part of the postgraduate (PG) curriculum. Lack of effective CS in current PG students’ results in patient distrust and dissatisfaction, conflicts, and compromised healthcare. The regulatory authorities of medical education have recognized the need to inculcate soft skills among medical graduates, one of which is CS. The purpose of this study was to assess the need for teaching CS to ophthalmology PG students and develop and introduce a module for the same.Methods:In this prospective, interventional study done at the ophthalmology department of a tertiary hospital, a validated 8 day CS workshop was conducted for 60 PG students through interactive lectures, observations, video sessions, and role plays. Feedbacks were obtained through narratives, validated Google survey, reflections and verbal method and analyzed.Results:In the needs assessment done on 27 departmental faculties, 20 faculties found poor communication to be a major reason for patient complaints. All faculties agreed that CS should be taught to medical students. Statistically significant improvement in CS awareness was noted among students after the workshop. Lack of CS training, work burden, and language were identified as main barriers to effective communication. All the students were satisfied with the workshop and wanted it to be conducted regularly.Conclusion:This study establishes that CS training is essential to improve patient satisfaction and patient-doctor relationships. Barriers to effective CS could be identified, for which possible solutions could be found.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and introduction of a communication skills module for postgraduate students of ophthalmology

Bhagat

Prajapati

Bhatt

et al. 2019

Indian J Ophthalmol

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“…They found that 88% of respondents recognized that formal training would be beneficial, and 95% felt that residency was the preferred point of training. 8 In another study by Hilkert et al, 34 participants (76%) similarly agreed that ophthalmologists would benefit from a structured approach to training, and 73% felt that residency would be the ideal setting. 9 In our study, a large proportion of physicians, mostly residents, had already received formal training in breaking bad news, and this experience most often occurred during medical school.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…4 While there are numerous studies on "breaking bad news" in the oncology literature including evaluation of patient's preferences, physician's communication skills, the effect and quality of physician training in delivering bad news, as well as the long-term effects on the patients of the physician's communication skills, [5][6][7] there is very limited literature in ophthalmology related to physician's communication skills when breaking bad news to patients. 8,9 These small studies in ophthalmology have shown that ophthalmologists agree that a formal training program would be beneficial 8,9 and that training may increase the confidence level of ophthalmologists in their ability to deliver bad news. 9 Still, there are no studies to date in ophthalmology which have addressed patient's preferences when receiving bad news, assessed the patient's experience when receiving bad news, evaluated the extent of ophthalmologist training in breaking bad news, or commented on how any of these measures vary with patient demographics (e.g., ethnicity) or physician characteristics (e.g., level of training, practice setting).…”

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confidence: 99%

Breaking Bad: An Assessment of Ophthalmologists' Interpersonal Skills and Training on Delivering Bad News

et al. 2018

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Purpose This article aims to assess ophthalmologists' practice patterns, experiences, and self-perceived skills when delivering bad news to patients and to compare this to patients' experience and preferences in receiving bad news from ophthalmologists. Design/Methods This is a prospective cross-sectional survey study of two populations: (1) Attending ophthalmologists and current ophthalmologists-in-training (N = 202) at accredited ophthalmology residency programs in the United States and Canada. (2) Patients (N = 151) 18 years of age and older at a single academic center who had received bad news from their ophthalmologist. An e-mail was sent to ophthalmology department chairs and resident program directors requesting that they distribute an online survey to their faculty, fellows, and residents. Patients were recruited from the clinics at an academic center and completed a self-administered survey before their scheduled appointments. Both populations were surveyed on their experience in breaking and receiving bad news, respectively. Questions were rated on a standard five-point Likert scale, and mean score was calculated for statistical comparison. The primary outcome variable was the quantitative rating (Likert scale 1–5) of physicians' communication skills when delivering bad news from physicians and patients' responses. Results Patients rated their physicians higher than physicians rated themselves with regard to ability to deliver bad news (mean score of 4.23 vs. 3.48, p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed frequent delivery of bad news (mean score of 3.66 for once per day, 3.53 for per week, 3.40 for once per month, and 3.22 for once per year, linear trend; p = 0.004) and years of practice were associated with better self-perceived ability to deliver bad news (mean score of 3.75 for ≥15 years, 3.48 for <15 years, and 3.30 for residents/fellows, linear trend; p < 0.001). Having received formal training in breaking bad news was associated with better perceived ability score, yet not statistically significant (3.51 vs. 3.39, p = 0.31). Most patients (97.5%) and physicians (92.1%) believe delivering bad news can be taught. Conclusion Physicians and patients agree that skills of delivering bad news can be learned. Patients are less critical of their physicians' ability to deliver bad news than physicians are themselves. Further study of best methods to deliver bad news is clearly indicated for the field of ophthalmology.

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“…Zakrzewski et al (26) assessed whether ophthalmologists perceived the importance of formal BBN training. The survey was conducted through an online form with the Canadian ophthalmology community.…”

Section: Main Points and Conclusion Of The Articlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breaking bad news in ophthalmology: a literature review

Vasconcellos

Pellissari

Zin

et al. 2022

ABO

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Medical specialties have recognized that breaking bad news assists clinical practice by mitigating the impact of difficult conversations. This scenario also encourages various studies on breaking bad news in ophthalmology since certain ocular diagnoses can be considered bad news. Thus, the objective is to review the scientific literature on breaking bad news in ophthalmology. The literature databases like MEDLINE/PUBMED, EMBASE, LILACS, SCOPUS, COCHRANE, and SCIELO, were screened for related research publications. Two independent reviewers read all the articles and short--listed the most relevant ones. Seven articles, in the formats of original article, review, editorial, oral communication, and correspondence, were reviewed. Conclusively it reveals that ophthalmologists are concerned with communicating bad news effectively but lack related studies. Nevertheless, there is a growing realization that training in breaking bad news can increase physicians' confidence during communication, thus, benefiting the therapeutic relationship with the patient and his family. Therefore, it would be valuable to include breaking bad news training in the curriculum of residencies.

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Should ophthalmologists receive communication skills training in breaking bad news?

Cited by 15 publications

References 19 publications

Development and introduction of a communication skills module for postgraduate students of ophthalmology

Development and introduction of a communication skills module for postgraduate students of ophthalmology

Breaking Bad: An Assessment of Ophthalmologists' Interpersonal Skills and Training on Delivering Bad News

Breaking bad news in ophthalmology: a literature review

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