Empathy Training for Resident Physicians: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Neuroscience-Informed Curriculum

Riess, Helen; Kelley, John M.; Bailey, Robert W.; Dunn, Emily J.; Phillips, Margot

doi:10.1007/s11606-012-2063-z

Cited by 345 publications

(298 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Targeted physician communication training has been shown to make a significant difference in physician empathic expression during patient interactions demonstrated by both outside observer measures of global ratings and hierarchical ratings of physician empathic behavior [19]. A randomized controlled trial of an empathy training intervention grounded in neuroscience found that physician empathy as rated by patients significantly improved [20]. Computer-based training programs have been shown to improve doctors' empathic response to patients' expressions of negative emotions [21].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do newly-qualified doctors perceive empathy in medical training and practice?

Agius¹,

Brown²,

Stratta³

et al. 2017

J Contemp Med Edu

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Objective: Evidence exists of an apparent decline in empathy during medical training which may be detrimental to patient care. This qualitative study explores the reflections of a group of newly-qualified foundation doctors with regard to empathy in medical training and practice. Methods: Doctors in a UK Foundation Training Programme were invited to reflect on the subject of empathy in medical training and practice. Researchers obtained consent to access their anonymous reflective statements and analyze for recurring themes using framework analysis. Results: Coding of 65 trainees' reflective statements resulted in identification of two thematic categories: (i) preparedness for empathic patient care and (ii) therapeutic effect of empathy. Conclusions: Trainees are aware of the value of empathy as a therapeutic tool. Many use it instinctively but not systematically. Clinical pressures can impact negatively on empathic dealings with patients and relatives. Targeted educational interventions and positive role modeling may assist foundation doctors enhance their skills in patient-centered care.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do newly-qualified doctors perceive empathy in medical training and practice?

Agius¹,

Brown²,

Stratta³

et al. 2017

J Contemp Med Edu

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show abstract

“…In a study by Riess et al (2012), trainee participants from two institutions were randomly assigned in a 1:1 allocation ratio to a training intervention group or a control group (training as usual). A computer-generated number sequence determined allocation and participants and patient raters were both blinded to the randomisation.…”

Section: Risk Of Bias Within Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Communication skills in the training of psychiatrists: A systematic review of current approaches

Ditton-Phare

Loughland

Duvivier

et al. 2017

Aust N Z J Psychiatry

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Objectives: A range of communication skills training programmes have been developed targeting trainees in various medical specialties, predominantly in oncology but to a lesser extent in psychiatry. Effective communication is fundamental to the assessment and treatment of psychiatric conditions, but there has been less attention to this in clinical practice for psychiatrists in training. This review examines the outcomes of communication skills training interventions in psychiatric specialty training. Methods:The published English-language literature was examined using multiple online databases, grey literature and hand searches. The review was conducted and reported using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Studies examining the efficacy of communication skills training were included. Randomised controlled trials, pseudo-randomised studies and quasi-experimental studies, as well as observational analytical studies and qualitative studies that met criteria, were selected and critically appraised. No limits were applied for date of publication up until 16 July 2016. Results:Total search results yielded 2574 records. Of these, 12 studies were identified and reviewed. Two were randomised controlled trials and the remaining 10 were one-group pretest/posttest designs or posttest-only designs, including self-report evaluations of communication skills training and objective evaluations of trainee skills. There were no studies with outcomes related to behaviour change or patient outcomes. Two randomised controlled trials reported an improvement in clinician empathy and psychotherapeutic interviewing skills due to specific training protocols focused on those areas. Non-randomised studies showed varying levels of skills gains and self-reported trainee satisfaction ratings with programmes, with the intervention being some form of communication skills training. Conclusion:The heterogeneity of communication skills training is a barrier to evaluating the efficacy of different communication skills training programmes. Further validation studies examining specific models and frameworks would support a stronger evidence base for communication skills training in psychiatry. It remains a challenge to develop research to investigate behaviour change over time in clinical practice or to measure patient outcomes due to the effects of communication skills training.

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“…Using existing methodology, findings can be aggregated without masking the impact of underlying mechanisms, as long as these potential mechanisms are identified in advance. Relational factors that can be measured empirically and in which therapists can be trained can be tested in randomized controlled trials, as has recently been done with empathy in the context of physician training [7,8]. Such trials could then be aggregated in meta-analyses.…”

Section: Specific Versus Relational Factors In Addiction Treatment: Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Specific versus relational factors in addiction treatment: the forest and the trees, or just more trees?

Hartmann‐Boyce

2015

Addiction

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Empathy Training for Resident Physicians: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Neuroscience-Informed Curriculum

Abstract: A brief intervention grounded in the neurobiology of empathy significantly improved physician empathy as rated by patients, suggesting that the quality of care in medicine could be improved by integrating the neuroscience of empathy into medical education.

Cited by 345 publications

References 37 publications

How do newly-qualified doctors perceive empathy in medical training and practice?

How do newly-qualified doctors perceive empathy in medical training and practice?

Communication skills in the training of psychiatrists: A systematic review of current approaches

Specific versus relational factors in addiction treatment: the forest and the trees, or just more trees?

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