Johnson, J. orcid.org/0000-0003-0431-013X, Kaur, E., Arezina, J. et al. (12 more authors) (2023) Communication coaching for sonographers (CCS): Preliminary evaluation of a novel intervention to improve unexpected news delivery. PEC Innovation, 3. 100231. ISSN 2772-6282
Abstract
Objective
Obstetric ultrasound scans provide real-time results. In some organisations and countries, the immediate communication of results by sonographers to patients is standard practice, but there is a lack of evidence-based training to support them with this challenging task. This pilot study evaluated a novel communication coaching intervention to improve sonographer communication.
Methods
Coaches met with sonographers(N = 15) three times. Sonographers collected three audio recordings of scans involving unexpected news communication at baseline(R1), post-Session 1(R2) and post-Session 2(R3), which were rated for communication skills. Participants self-reported communication confidence and burnout before(T1) and after(T2) the intervention. Feedback was collected at T2. Data were analysed using paired-samples t-tests with bootstrapped significance estimates.
Results
N = 10 sonographers completed the intervention. There were significant increases in communication skills(R1 m = 4.85, SD = 1.07; R3 m = 6.73, SD = 1.80, p = 0.003) and communication confidence(T1 m = 28.00, SD = 6.27; T2 m = 32.80, SD = 6.05, p = 0.005). There were no significant changes in burnout(p > 0.05). All respondents said they would recommend the intervention and most strongly agreed it was engaging(n = 8; 89%) and imparted useful skills(n = 8; 89%).
Conclusion
Communication coaching is an acceptable, potentially effective tool for improving communication of unexpected news by sonographers in ultrasound.
Innovation
This is the first evaluation of an intervention to support obstetric sonographers with news delivery.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
Keywords: | Communication; Coaching; Breaking bad news; Pregnancy; Ultrasound; Burnout |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > Medicine & Health Faculty Office (Leeds) > Faculty Office Functions (FOMH) (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Medicine (Leeds) > Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine (LICAMM) > Specialist Science Education Dept (Leeds) The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Psychology (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number Sir Halley Stewart Trust 2422 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 11 Dec 2023 10:47 |
Last Modified: | 11 Dec 2023 10:47 |
Published Version: | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100231 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:206406 |