A long-term evaluation of a training program on breaking bad news in pediatric neurosurgery: a pilot study

Abstract

<jats:sec><jats:title>OBJECTIVE</jats:title><jats:p>Breaking bad news is a difficult task in medical practice. Several breaking-bad-news training programs have been proposed. However, long-term results of such training have rarely been investigated. The aim of this study was to compare the short- and long-term evaluations by young neurosurgeons of a training program for breaking bad news to patients and their parents.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>METHODS</jats:title><jats:p>Between 2012 and 2015, pediatric neurosurgery residents participated in a training day on breaking bad news in pediatric neurosurgery with professional actors. A personal debriefing, followed by a theoretical session, completed the training. Immediate feedback was evaluated through a survey administered at the end of the day. Long-term results were explored via an online form sent at least 3 years after the training completion.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>RESULTS</jats:title><jats:p>Seventeen participants from 9 different countries were interviewed. Their immediate feedback confirmed their interest. For 71% of them, the program was very interesting, and 77% were extremely satisfied or very satisfied. All trainees wanted more training sessions. At a mean of 4.5 years of follow-up (range 3–6 years), 71% of the trainees fully remembered the session. Most of them (86%) reported a positive impact of the training on their career. Only 21% had another training session on breaking bad news during their residency. At long-term analysis, fewer trainees considered the duration of the training to have been sufficient (p = 0.044).</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>CONCLUSIONS</jats:title><jats:p>Breaking-bad-news training has a positive long-term educational impact even several years later. Such a training program should be implemented into pediatric neurosurgery residency.</jats:p></jats:sec>

Data-Driven Residency Training: A Scoping Review of Educational Interventions for Neurosurgery Residency Programs

“…24 Two international groups developed interactive training modules utilizing professional actors to stimulate challenging communication scenarios, which participants found to be useful. 25,26 Three single-institution studies introduced longitudinal nontechnical skills courses into their training programs. Clarke et al 27 implemented a formal quality improvement curricula for their residents (n = 17), after which residents demonstrated proficiency by passing a standardized summative assessment.…”

Future doctors’ priorities and approach to breaking bad news

“…[30] wykazali, że dobre wsparcie w tej kwestii stanowią specjalnie przygotowane warsztaty dla onkologów. Szkolenia z przekazywania złych wiadomości korzystnie wpływają na zmianę postaw lekarzy oraz na samą pracę [31]. Na Uniwersytecie Medycznym w Brazylii przeprowadzono kurs komunikacji.…”