Recommended Citation
Nanes MJ, Sharma K, Riutta S, Wankowski D, Peterson L. Improving Resident Physician Empathic Communication Skills QI Project. Presented at Scientific Day; May 21, 2025; Park Ridge, IL.
Abstract
Background/Significance:
Effective empathic communication is crucial in clinical practice, particularly in end-of-life discussions. Research highlights the importance of recognizing and responding to patient emotional cues, yet gaps remain in training resident physicians to develop these skills. Prior studies suggest that empathy can be enhanced through structured educational interventions, such as role play and simulation. Given the high prevalence of audio-based medical education, this quality improvement (QI) project seeks to improve Aurora Health Care resident physician empathic communication skills via a podcast-based instructional approach.
Purpose:
This project aims to enhance resident physicians’ confidence and ability to engage in empathic communication during difficult conversations, particularly in end-of-life (EOL) scenarios. This project incorporates evidence-based communications training principles into an accessible audio podcast format to be trialed within the Auora Health Care System residency programs.
Methods:
The QI project consists of two main components: (1) the development of a short (20 minute) educational podcast featuring a simulated patient-clinician dialogue interspersed with instructional commentary, and (2) post-podcast surveys assessing listener engagement and perceived impact. The project population included internal medicine and family medicine resident physicians at Aurora Health Care hospitals in Wisconsin. Survey responses were evaluated using a Likert scale, focusing on agreement ratings of 4 (agree) and 5 (strongly agree).
Results:
Thirty-one residents took the survey after a listening session of the podcast: 42% were from family medicine (FM) and 58% from internal medicine (IM). Overall, most respondents (55% - 71%) agreed with statements asking whether they felt the podcast improved their ability to recognize and respond to emotional cues during EOL discussions. FM residents were more likely than IM residents to agree or strongly agree with these statements. The podcast was received well overall with 77% of respondents agreeing that they can apply what they learned to their practice. With regard to the primary objective of self-rated perception of ability to recognize and respond to emotional cues, FM residents were more likely than IM residents to rate their post-listening self-perceptions favorably overall. Of the responses to questions tailored to the primary objective, the lowest scoring question was with regard to whether the podcast made residents feel more confident in their ability to convey empathy in discussions with patients, but there was parity among the resident groups with 54% of FM residents and 56% of IM residents self-rating at 4 or 5. The secondary objective assessed the effectiveness of using a podcast as a medium for this QI project. Here the highest ratings of the entire survey were returned for the question regarding whether residents felt they could apply skills from the podcast to their practice, with 85% of FM residents and 72% of IM residents rating 4 or 5 to this question. In all responses, a trend was observed in the PGY-2 classes. They on average had the lowest % of answers at the 4 or 5 level when compared with all other resident levels in response to all questions.
Conclusion:
There were overall favorable perceptions of the podcast from all survey respondents. The findings from this QI project indicate a podcast can be used as a practical tool to teach residents empathic communication skills. While the residents found it valuable, survey results suggest further steps like a role play session or discussion may improve confidence in these discussions.
Presentation Notes
Presented at Scientific Day; May 21, 2025; Park Ridge, IL.
Full Text of Presentation
wf_yes
Document Type
Poster
Improving Resident Physician Empathic Communication Skills QI Project
Background/Significance:
Effective empathic communication is crucial in clinical practice, particularly in end-of-life discussions. Research highlights the importance of recognizing and responding to patient emotional cues, yet gaps remain in training resident physicians to develop these skills. Prior studies suggest that empathy can be enhanced through structured educational interventions, such as role play and simulation. Given the high prevalence of audio-based medical education, this quality improvement (QI) project seeks to improve Aurora Health Care resident physician empathic communication skills via a podcast-based instructional approach.
Purpose:
This project aims to enhance resident physicians’ confidence and ability to engage in empathic communication during difficult conversations, particularly in end-of-life (EOL) scenarios. This project incorporates evidence-based communications training principles into an accessible audio podcast format to be trialed within the Auora Health Care System residency programs.
Methods:
The QI project consists of two main components: (1) the development of a short (20 minute) educational podcast featuring a simulated patient-clinician dialogue interspersed with instructional commentary, and (2) post-podcast surveys assessing listener engagement and perceived impact. The project population included internal medicine and family medicine resident physicians at Aurora Health Care hospitals in Wisconsin. Survey responses were evaluated using a Likert scale, focusing on agreement ratings of 4 (agree) and 5 (strongly agree).
Results:
Thirty-one residents took the survey after a listening session of the podcast: 42% were from family medicine (FM) and 58% from internal medicine (IM). Overall, most respondents (55% - 71%) agreed with statements asking whether they felt the podcast improved their ability to recognize and respond to emotional cues during EOL discussions. FM residents were more likely than IM residents to agree or strongly agree with these statements. The podcast was received well overall with 77% of respondents agreeing that they can apply what they learned to their practice. With regard to the primary objective of self-rated perception of ability to recognize and respond to emotional cues, FM residents were more likely than IM residents to rate their post-listening self-perceptions favorably overall. Of the responses to questions tailored to the primary objective, the lowest scoring question was with regard to whether the podcast made residents feel more confident in their ability to convey empathy in discussions with patients, but there was parity among the resident groups with 54% of FM residents and 56% of IM residents self-rating at 4 or 5. The secondary objective assessed the effectiveness of using a podcast as a medium for this QI project. Here the highest ratings of the entire survey were returned for the question regarding whether residents felt they could apply skills from the podcast to their practice, with 85% of FM residents and 72% of IM residents rating 4 or 5 to this question. In all responses, a trend was observed in the PGY-2 classes. They on average had the lowest % of answers at the 4 or 5 level when compared with all other resident levels in response to all questions.
Conclusion:
There were overall favorable perceptions of the podcast from all survey respondents. The findings from this QI project indicate a podcast can be used as a practical tool to teach residents empathic communication skills. While the residents found it valuable, survey results suggest further steps like a role play session or discussion may improve confidence in these discussions.
Affiliations
Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, Aurora UW Medical Group, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Aurora Zilber Family Hospice