Curricula and methods for physician compassion training: protocol for a systematic review

Abstract

IntroductionCompassionate patient care has been associated with improved clinical outcomes for patients. However, current evidence suggests that healthcare is experiencing a compassion crisis, with physicians frequently overlooking opportunities to treat patients with compassion. Although there is evidence that compassionate care can be enhanced through training interventions, it is currently unclear what specific skills and behaviours ought to be taught and how best to transfer this information to the learner. The objectives of this systematic review are to collate the world’s literature on compassion training to determine (1) the specific skills and behaviours that should be taught (curriculum), and (2) the methods of training that are most effective at improving compassionate patient care.Methods and analysisWe will perform a qualitative systematic review of studies aimed at improving compassionate patient care among physicians and physicians in training. We will comprehensively search CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL. Additional recommended techniques for systematic reviews of complex evidence will be performed including pursuing selected ‘references of references’, electronic citation tracking and consulting experts in the field. Two investigators will independently review all search results. After identification and inclusion of papers, we will use a standardised form for data extraction. We will use tables to describe the study populations, interventions tested (including specific skill/behaviours taught and training methods used), outcome measures and effects of interventions on outcome measures compared with control groups. Where appropriate, meta-analysis will be used for quantitative analysis of the data.Ethics and disseminationThe proposed systematic review does not require ethical approval since no individual patient-level data will be collected. Results of this study will contribute to the understanding of compassion training and help inform the development of compassion training curricula.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018095040.

Curricula for empathy and compassion training in medical education: A systematic review

“…We developed and published a systematic review protocol [32] in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews of interventions,[33] and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) statement. [34] Our final results are reported according to the PRISMA guidelines.…”

“…The search strategies were established using a combination of standardized terms and key words (including empathy, compassion, and derivations thereof), and the fully reproducible search strategy was previously published. [32] We also performed recommended techniques for systematic reviews of complex evidence: we reviewed reference lists of the included articles to identify additional studies for potential inclusion, used electronic citation tracking, and consulted experts in the field. [36] The final search was performed on Feb 1 st , 2019.…”

“…wait-list, before/after, standard training); (3) the curriculum was tested on physicians, or physicians-in-training; and (4) an outcome measure assessing the effect of the curriculum on physician empathy or compassion. [32] We included outcomes measured from any perspective, including physician self-assessment as well as assessment by patients, standardized patients, or third party observers. We did not exclude studies based on language or publication type or date.…”

“…have been demonstrated to enhance patient perception of compassion), and (2) the methods of training that are most effective. [32] The results of this report will help inform the development of evidence-based curricula for empathy and compassion training in medical education.…”

A Systematic Review of Educational Interventions and Their Impact on Empathy and Compassion of Undergraduate Medical Students 

“…Our search strategy was adapted from a previously published systematic review on education for compassion and empathy. [13] We tweaked this work further to explicitly focus on medical students. The nal search was performed on July 22 nd , 2020 and a detailed search strategy is attached as Appendix 1.…”