title: The Role of Communication During Trauma Activations: Investigating the Need for Team and Leader Communication Training.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fatal errors due to miscommunication among members of trauma teams are 2 to 4 times more likely to occur than in other medical teams, yet most trauma team members do not receive communication effectiveness training. A needs assessment was conducted to examine trauma team members' miscommunication experiences and research scientists' evaluations of live trauma activations. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that communication training is necessary and highlight specific team communication competencies that trauma teams should learn to improve communication during activations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected in 2 phases. Phase 1 required participants to complete a series of surveys. Phase 2 included live observations and assessments of pediatric trauma activations using the assessment of pediatric resuscitation team assessments (APRC-TA) and assessment of pediatric resuscitation leader assessments (APRC-LA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected at a southwestern pediatric hospital. Trauma team members and leaders completed surveys at a meeting and were observed while conducting activations in the trauma bay. Trained research scientists and clinical staff used the APRC-TA and APRC-LA to measure trauma teams' medical performance and communication effectiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample included 29 healthcare providers who regularly participate in trauma activations. Additionally, 12 live trauma activations were assessed monday to friday from 8am to 5pm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Team members indicated that communication training should focus on offering assistance, delegating duties, accepting feedback, and controlling emotional expressions. Communication scores were not significantly different from medical performance scores. None of the teams were coded as effective medical performance and ineffective team communication and only 1 team was labeled as ineffective leader communication and effective medical performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Communication training may be necessary for trauma teams and offer a deeper understanding of the communication competencies that should be addressed. The APRC-TA and APRC-LA both include team communication competencies that could be used as a guide to design training for trauma team members and leaders. Researchers should also continue to examine recommendations for improved team and leader communication during activations using in-depth interviews and focus groups.
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Department of Surgery, UT Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas. Electronic address: raley@uthscsa.edu.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raley
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Department of Surgery, UT Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Rani
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meenakshi
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Department of Surgery, UT Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dent
authors.affiliation: Division of Trauma, Department of Surgery, UT Health Science Center San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.affiliation: Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, Austin, Texas.
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.affiliation: Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas, Austin, Texas.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duzinski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000193:education*; D012380:Role; D014481:United States; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Professionalism; assessment; communication; leader; needs, assessment; team; trauma