title: Simulation-based interpersonal communication skills training for neurosurgical residents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Communication skills are an important component of the neurosurgery residency training program. We developed a simulation-based training module for neurosurgery residents in which medical, communication and ethical dilemmas are presented by role-playing actors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the first national simulation-based communication skills training for neurosurgical residents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight scenarios covering different aspects of neurosurgery were developed by our team: (1) obtaining informed consent for an elective surgery, (2) discharge of a patient following elective surgery, (3) dealing with an unsatisfied patient, (4) delivering news of intraoperative complications, (5) delivering news of a brain tumor to parents of a 5 year old boy, (6) delivering news of brain death to a family member, (7) obtaining informed consent for urgent surgery from the grandfather of a 7 year old boy with an epidural hematoma, and (8) dealing with a case of child abuse. Fifteen neurosurgery residents from all major medical centers in Israel participated in the training. The session was recorded on video and was followed by videotaped debriefing by a senior neurosurgeon and communication expert and by feedback questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All trainees participated in two scenarios and observed another two. Participants largely agreed that the actors simulating patients represented real patients and family members and that the videotaped debriefing contributed to the teaching of professional skills.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simulation-based communication skill training is effective, and together with thorough debriefing is an excellent learning and practical method for imparting communication skills to neurosurgery residents. Such simulation-based training will ultimately be part of the national residency program.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel. sagi.harnof@sheba.health.gov.il
authors: Sagi
authors: S
authors: Harnof
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
authors: Moshe
authors: M
authors: Hadani
authors: lsrael Center for Medical Simulation, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors: Amitai
authors: A
authors: Ziv
authors: Anesthesiology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
authors: Haim
authors: H
authors: Berkenstadt
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D004992:Ethics, Medical / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards*; D007557:Israel; D009493:Neurosurgery / Q000193:education*; D016544:Patient Simulation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014743:Videotape Recording