Communication Skills Training for Surgical Inpatient Advanced Practice Providers in an Academic Health-Care System:

Background:Good communication skills enhance the patient experience, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction.Objective:A course was developed by an interdisciplinary team (surgeon, nurse practitioner, and nurse MBA) for advanced practice providers (APPs) working for the department of surgery—a mix of practice and hospital-employed professionals—to enhance communications skills in an inpatient setting.Methods:Current concepts on provider–patient communication were discussed. Participants also asked to view and critique a video “provider–patient communication gone wrong” scenario. Lastly, participants were provided with techniques for improving provider–patient communication. The participants assessed the course. Provider communication scores were tracked from quarter 1, Fiscal Year 2014 to quarter 4 Fiscal Year 2017.Results:Of 110 eligible APPs, 95 (86%) attended the course. The anonymous survey response rate was 90% (86/95). Participants expressed satisfaction with the course content confirmed by Like...