Addressing physicians' impaired communication skills.
BACKGROUND
Deficient physician communication skills can lead to complaints by patients and colleagues. While there are many communication training courses for physicians, there are few descriptions of programs that address their deficiencies.


OBJECTIVE
This report describes the use of a coaching model developed by the author to remediate inadequate communication skills.


METHODS
The coaching model consists of a discrete set of communication skills that are gradually integrated into professional activities while debriefing that process in a supportive relationship.


RESULTS
Outcomes are provided for the first 13 physicians coached after the approach was standardized. On a Likert scale (range, 1-7), with 7 expressing "high satisfaction," all participants rated the consultation in the 5-7 range (mean, 6.3), and all supervisors rated the consultation in the 6-7 range (mean, 6.7).


CONCLUSIONS
A coaching model is effective in improving communication skills deemed inadequate by physicians' patients and colleagues. Future work should evaluate the impact of integrating coaching into health care organizations and on developing new tools to augment coaching.
Egener
Barry
B
The Foundation for Medical Excellence, 1639 SW Skyline Blvd., Portland, OR 97221, USA. begener@lhs.org
D003142:Communication; D003253:Consultants; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011361:Professional Competence
J Consult Psychol. 1957 Apr;21(2):95-103
13416422
Acad Med. 2000 Oct;75(10 Suppl):S6-S11
11031159
Physician Exec. 2008 Jan-Feb;34(1):32-40
18257381
Am Psychol. 1992 Sep;47(9):1102-14
1329589
Perm J. 2007 Fall;11(4):30-40
21412479