TY - JOUR
T1 - Doctors' experiences of earlier mandatory postgraduate communication skills training
T2 - a qualitative study
AU - Møller, Jane Ege
AU - Henriksen, Jakob
AU - Søjnæs, Charlotte
AU - Brøgger, Matilde Nisbeth
PY - 2022/2/28
Y1 - 2022/2/28
N2 - Objectives: This study explored the question: what are doctors' perspectives on and experiences with their earlier mandatory postgraduate communication skills training?Methods: The study used a qualitative, exploratory design. We used purposeful sampling based on the principle of maximal variation to ensure different clinical perspectives. Thus, three focus groups were formed with 12 doctors who had attended mandatory postgraduate communication skills training within 1-9 years prior to the study. The doctors were from three specialties: internal medicine, oncology, and general practice. We used a semi-structured interview guide, and the focus groups were video-recorded. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data material. Through an iterative process, we identified main and sub-themes.Results: The first-year residency mandatory postgraduate communication skills training provided all participants with skills that had helped them in their ongoing clinical work. In addition, five dominant themes were observed: modes of use, the timing of course, experience with experiential methods, sharing challenges with peers, and need for continuous feedback and follow-up.Conclusions: Doctors value early mandatory postgraduate communication skills training even years after attending the course and request similar ongoing initiatives. Their experiences are positive, they found the timing relevant, and they used the learned skills in their ongoing clinical work, even years after the initial course. Our study indicates that more attention should be given to 'early career' postgraduate communication skills training that is tailored to specific clinical contexts, including hospital settings.
AB - Objectives: This study explored the question: what are doctors' perspectives on and experiences with their earlier mandatory postgraduate communication skills training?Methods: The study used a qualitative, exploratory design. We used purposeful sampling based on the principle of maximal variation to ensure different clinical perspectives. Thus, three focus groups were formed with 12 doctors who had attended mandatory postgraduate communication skills training within 1-9 years prior to the study. The doctors were from three specialties: internal medicine, oncology, and general practice. We used a semi-structured interview guide, and the focus groups were video-recorded. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data material. Through an iterative process, we identified main and sub-themes.Results: The first-year residency mandatory postgraduate communication skills training provided all participants with skills that had helped them in their ongoing clinical work. In addition, five dominant themes were observed: modes of use, the timing of course, experience with experiential methods, sharing challenges with peers, and need for continuous feedback and follow-up.Conclusions: Doctors value early mandatory postgraduate communication skills training even years after attending the course and request similar ongoing initiatives. Their experiences are positive, they found the timing relevant, and they used the learned skills in their ongoing clinical work, even years after the initial course. Our study indicates that more attention should be given to 'early career' postgraduate communication skills training that is tailored to specific clinical contexts, including hospital settings.
KW - Communication
KW - Family Practice
KW - Humans
KW - Internship and Residency
KW - Physicians
KW - Qualitative Research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85125870320&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.5116/ijme.6213.7ee7
DO - 10.5116/ijme.6213.7ee7
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 35247250
SN - 2042-6372
VL - 13
SP - 47
EP - 55
JO - International Journal of Medical Education
JF - International Journal of Medical Education
ER -