title: Mandatory communication training of all employees with patient contact.
abstract: In 2010 a communication program that included mandatory communication skills training for all employees with patient contact was developed and launched at a large regional hospital in Denmark.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We describe the communication program, the implementation process, and the initial assessment of the process to date.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cornerstone of the program is a communication course based on the Calgary Cambridge Guide and on the experiences of several efficacy and effectiveness studies conducted at the same hospital. The specific elements of the program are described in steps and a preliminary assessment based on feedback from the departments will be presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The elements of the communication program are as follows: (1) education of trainers; (2) courses for health professionals employed in clinical departments; (3) education of new staff; (4) courses for health professionals in service departments; and (5) maintenance of communication skills. Thus far, 70 of 86 staff have become certified trainers and 17 of 18 departments have been included in the program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even though the communication program is resource-intensive and competes with several other development projects in the clinical departments, the experiences of the staff and the managers are positive and the program continues as planned.
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research Unit, Lillebaelt Hospital/IRS University of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark. Electronic address: Jette.ammentorp@rsyd.dk.
authors.forename: Jette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ammentorp
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research Unit, Lillebaelt Hospital/IRS University of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lars Toke
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Graugaard
authors.affiliation: Stolpegaard Psychotherapy Centre, Mental Health Services, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Marianne Engelbrecht
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research Unit, Lillebaelt Hospital/IRS University of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark.
authors.forename: Troels Præst
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research Unit, Lillebaelt Hospital/IRS University of Southern Denmark, Vejle, Denmark.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Waidtløw
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Lillebaelt Hospital/IRS University of Southern Denmark, Kolding, Denmark.
authors.forename: Poul-Erik
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Kofoed
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003718:Denmark; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013663:Teaching
keywords: Communication program; Communication skills training; Educational model; Effectiveness study; Mandatory training; Translation research