SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Impact of Communication Training on Resident Confidence in Patient Encounters

Pdf Summary

This project evaluated whether a formal communication training session improved internal medicine residents’ confidence in patient encounters. At Morristown Medical Center, 50 residents from PGY-1 to PGY-3 completed a one-time, two-hour relationship-centered communication course that combined lecture and interactive role-playing. Residents rated their confidence before and after the session on a 1–10 scale across six communication skills: overall communication ability, creating rapport, eliciting concerns, active listening, responding with empathy, and communicating information/instructions.<br /><br />Results showed statistically significant confidence gains in all six areas across all training years. The greatest improvements were seen in PGY-2 residents for communicating information and eliciting concerns, while PGY-3 residents showed the most improvement in creating rapport. PGY-1 residents showed smaller changes overall, likely because they had less clinical experience to connect the training to prior patient encounters. Residents reported that role-playing was more engaging and useful than lecture-based teaching.<br /><br />The study concludes that formal communication training is beneficial for resident physicians and should begin early in residency and continue throughout training, with ongoing faculty feedback and evaluation. The authors also suggest that future sessions should include more interactive role-play and measure impact using patient surveys, not just resident self-confidence.

Asset Subtitle

Chandni Dhamsania

Meta Tag

Author List Ahmed Ezzelden, Chandni Dhamsania, Dhruti Mankodi, Shai Gavi

Category Research

Concept Communication Training

Concept Resident Physician Confidence

Concept Patient Communication

Concept Active Listening

Concept Empathy

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Morristown Medical Center

Presenting Author Chandni Dhamsania

Track Communication

Keywords

internal medicine residents

communication training

patient encounters

relationship-centered communication

role-playing

resident confidence

active listening

empathy

rapport building

medical education

Communication Training

Resident Physician Confidence

Patient Communication

Active Listening

Empathy