Linda Roberts
HSS University, USA
Title: Communication skills training for orthopedic surgical residents: Learning to relate to the needs of older adults
Biography
Biography: Linda Roberts
Abstract
Background It is vital for physicians and surgeons to communicate successfully with older adults, who often perceive themselves as stigmatized and powerless in healthcare settings. Communication with older adults is complicated by age-related issues (such as cognitive decline) as well as negative stereotypes about older adults and aging, which are an occupational hazard for healthcare workers, who encounter the most vulnerable elderly. Successful patient communication leads to better recall of information, compliance, adherence to medications, satisfaction, and overall better outcomes.
Methodology At Hospital for Special Surgery, in NYC, we developed a two-part training program (ongoing for 8 years) comprised of: 1) small-group interactive didactic sessions on aging issues; and 2) workshop demonstrations given by the residents to a group of older adults, followed by a question and answer session. Residents were assessed using a 22-item pre–post questionnaire covering medical knowledge of aging, attitudes toward older adults, and personal anxiety about aging. Older adult participants were surveyed for perceptions of residents’ sensitivity toward them.
70 PGY3 residents, for whom the program is a requirement, and 711 older adult participants, participated over 8 years
Results Older adult participants: Of 711 participants, 648 (91%) responded; 96% strongly agreed/agreed that the residents had demonstrated sensitivity toward them. Residents: Of 70 Residents, 35 (50%) were assessed. Mean knowledge scores increased significantly (p ≤ 0.001); five of nine attitude items (p ≤ 0.05) and one of four anxiety items improved significantly (p ≤ 0.001).
Conclusions In addition to significant increase in knowledge scores, significant change was seen in residents’ attitudes and anxiety levels toward older adults, attributes that are usually deep seated and hard to change. Our program enables residents to learn and realistically practice universal underlying communication skills in order to maintain effective and sensitive communication with this vulnerable population. Further research is needed to evaluate if this training program is replicable to other specialty resident programs.