Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Browse

The National Healthcare Communication Programme: an audit of initial performance

Download (170.49 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2022-09-01, 16:20 authored by Peter GillenPeter Gillen, Eva DohertyEva Doherty, P. Kinnersley, Winifred Ryan

Objective 

To report on the initial roll-out of the National Healthcare Communication Programme, a comprehensive intervention to improve the communication skills of Health Care Providers in Ireland. 

Method 

An audit of a national programme to improve communication by Healthcare Providers was undertaken beginning with a pilot study followed by progression to a national roll-out. The programme involved a Train the Trainer approach using experienced facilitators to deliver the pilot programme and subsequently support the national roll-out. Evaluation forms were used to collect participant feedback at module completion and a survey was conducted subsequently to assess self-efficacy of participants after return to the work place. The programme was supported by the Health Service Executive and worked in close collaboration with The International Association of Communication in Healthcare (EACH). 

Results 

Six pilot sites delivered the modules to a total of 683 participants from different disciplines. The evaluation forms from the pilot sites demonstrated that 586 (95.5%) participants felt they had learned new communication skills and 607 (99%) would recommend the training to colleagues. Five hundred and ninety-two participants attended a further 37 modules of training with 526 (99.5%) declaring they had learned new skills and 524 (99%) would recommend the training to colleagues. One hundred and one participants completed a survey carried out at least three months post return to work place and 80(83%) recorded that their communication skills had improved and 89 (90.7%) would recommend the training to colleagues. 

Conclusion 

The audit demonstrates a highly successful implementation of a national communication training programme for all healthcare providers. The programme requires on-going support from the Health Service Executive to train more facilitators and encourage greater up-take of training in order to ensure long-term benefit to patients and staff.

History

Comments

The original article is available at www.imj.ie

Published Citation

Gillen P, Doherty E, Kinnersley P, Ryan W. The National Healthcare Communication Programme: an audit of initial performance. Ir Med J. 2020;113(8):156.

Publication Date

September 2020

Department/Unit

  • Surgical Affairs

Publisher

Irish Medical Association

Version

  • Published Version (Version of Record)