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

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.