Difficult Conversations
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Difficult Conversations: A mixed methods before-after feasibility study of a communication skills training workshop.
IRAS ID
212956
Contact name
Jonathan Koffman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
Poor communication between healthcare providers and patients and their families leads to worse outcomes for patients and families (e.g. confusion and mistrust) as well as for staff (e.g. stress and burnout). Evidence-based, effective training in communication skills has been identified as a priority, particularly in end of life care.
An existing half-day workshop called ‘Difficult Conversations’ aims to provide professionals the confidence to have effective conversations with patients and their families. However, it has not been rigorously evaluated. As previous work in this field has shown little consensus on best measurement techniques, further refinement of these methods is essential.
AIMS:
We propose to conduct a before and after mixed-methods feasibility study with two primary aims:
1.To optimise the Difficult Conversations communication skills training intervention
2.To appraise and test the feasibility of the methods necessary to rigorously evaluate the Difficult Conversations communication skills training intervention in a future trial
OBJECTIVES:
1.Examine the extent to which Difficult Conversations requires further refinement in order to have a finalised intervention to test in a definitive trial
2.To identify the active ingredients of Difficult Conversations
3.To examine the ability of the study to retain staff and patient/carer involvement at different stages of the study
4.To test appropriateness, feasibility and acceptability of staff and patient/carer data collection methods (including determining optimum timing of data collection) in order to define primary and secondary outcomes for a definitive trial
5.To provide a preliminary estimate of the pre/post effectiveness of Difficult Conversations
6.To explore the perceived support needs of staff in relation to having difficult conversations
THE STUDY WILL COMPRISE THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS:
(A) Secondary data analysis of existing staff data
(B) Staff Questionnaires
(C) Interviews with staff
(D) Patient and carer questionnaires
(E) Patient medical note review
(F) Interviews with patients and carers
(G) Interviews with workshop facilitators
(H) Cognitive Interviews with staff, patients, and carersREC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1571
Date of REC Opinion
11 Oct 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion