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Neonatal Critical Care Communication (NC3): training NICU physicians and nurse practitioners

Journal of Perinatology volume 33, pages 642–646 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

Communicating with families is a core skill for neonatal clinicians, yet formal communication training rarely occurs. This study examined the impact of an intensive interprofessional communication training for neonatology fellows and nurse practitioners.

Study Design:

Evidence-based, interactive training for common communication challenges in neonatology incorporated didactic sessions, role-plays and reflective exercises. Participants completed surveys before, after, and one month following the training.

Result:

Five neonatology fellows and eight nurse practitioners participated (n=13). Before the training, participants overall felt somewhat prepared (2.6 on 5 point Likert-type scale) to engage in core communication challenges; afterwards, participants overall felt very well prepared (4.5 on Likert-type scale) (P<0.05). One month later, participants reported frequently practicing the taught skills and felt quite willing to engage in difficult conversations.

Conclusion:

An intensive communication training program increased neonatology clinicians’ self-perceived competence to face communication challenges which commonly occur, but for which training is rarely provided.

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Acknowledgements

This program was supported by grants from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. Dr Arnold receives support from the Jewish Health Care Foundation and support from Lawrence Stern. The authors would like to acknowledge the dedicated support of Lori Spahr.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, Baltimore, MD, USA

    R D Boss

  2. Magee Women’s Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    A Urban

  3. Montefiore University Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    M D Barnett & R M Arnold

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  1. R D Boss
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  2. A Urban
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  4. R M Arnold
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Correspondence to R D Boss.

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Boss, R., Urban, A., Barnett, M. et al. Neonatal Critical Care Communication (NC3): training NICU physicians and nurse practitioners. J Perinatol 33, 642–646 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2013.22

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