1. How effective is a toolkit at teaching communication skills and how much of what is learned is retained over time? . Julie Rowlands Macmillan Lead Nurse for Palliative Care Velindre Hospital, Honorary Lecturer Cardiff University, Dr Nikki Pease, Consultant in Palliative Medicine Velindre Hospital, Honorary Senior Lecturer Cardiff University
Aims: To measure the effectiveness of the Cardiff Communication Skills Toolkit © to improve communication skills of healthcare professionals. To establish how skills and perceptions of skills change overtime
Method: Advanced communication skills teaching based on existing evidence has formed a significant part of the Cardiff University Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Medicine since In 2006 we developed the Cardiff communication skills toolkit© which teaches person centered interviewing using 6 main ‘tools’
The Toolkit: Comfort
2. Language
3. Question style
4. Listening/Use of silence
5. Reflection
6. Summarising
Triangulation: A triangulation of assessments investigated whether:
using the toolkit to teach leads to improved communication skills
the tools can be effective in any communication even more challenging situations. learned skills of improved communication are retained over time.
Data Collection - over 2 years, subjective and objective data via self and facilitator rated competence against each of the tools both during the annual teaching sessions and from self and facilitator rated recorded patient and actor/patient consultations.
YEAR 1
Baseline score student
Post session score student
Post session score facilitator
DVD score Student
DVD score Facilitator
Year 2 Baseline score student
Post session score student
Post session score facilitator
DVD score Student
DVD score Student
YEAR 2