SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Boosting Communication Confidence Across Disciplines: Results From a Hospitalist-Led Training Program at an Academic Medical Center

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The document describes a hospitalist-led communication training program at an academic medical center designed to improve interprofessional teamwork. It begins from the premise that poor communication among healthcare team members harms worker well-being and contributes to about 25% of patient safety incidents, yet formal communication training is still uncommon in academic clinical settings.<br /><br />The aim was to evaluate the impact of a whole-team communication training program on an established interprofessional team. The single-center intervention was led by hospitalist and palliative care clinicians and included an in-person, 4-hour training session for 80 team members from multiple roles, including pharmacists, physicians, advanced practice clinicians, social workers, nurses, financial staff, coordinators, and medical assistants.<br /><br />A mixed-methods design was used. Quantitatively, participants completed pre- and post-training surveys measuring communication confidence, self-reported skill use, safety climate, and psychological safety. Qualitatively, semi-structured interviews explored participants’ experiences and perceived effects of the training on their work environment.<br /><br />Of the 80 invited, 42 attended, and 40 completed pre-surveys. The report indicates that the training improved communication skill use and strengthened relationships among team members. However, broader changes in team culture may require leadership involvement. The authors also note that future trainings should include follow-up sessions, role-specific content, and strategies to address team-level communication challenges.<br /><br />Overall, the study concludes that whole-team communication training can positively influence skills and workplace relationships, but sustained culture change likely depends on continued reinforcement and organizational support.

Asset Subtitle

Claire Ciarkowski

Meta Tag

Author List Chaorong Wu, Claire Ciarkowski, Erin Davis, Kristin Akers, Lynn Reinke, Mindy Vanderloo

Category Research

Concept Whole-Team Communication Training Program

Concept Interprofessional Communication

Concept Mixed-Methods Research

Concept Patient Safety

Concept Study Design

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Utah Health

Presenting Author Claire Ciarkowski

Track Communication

Keywords

hospitalist-led training

communication training

interprofessional teamwork

patient safety

mixed-methods study

psychological safety

safety climate

healthcare communication

team relationships

academic medical center

Whole-Team Communication Training Program

Interprofessional Communication

Mixed-Methods Research

Patient Safety

Study Design