title: Improving patient-centered communication while using an electronic health record: Report from a curriculum evaluation.
abstract: Researchers and clinicians are concerned about the impact of electronic health record use and patient-centered communication. Training about patient-centered clinical communication skills with the electronic health record may help clinicians adapt and remain patient-centered.
  
  
  
  We developed an interactive workshop eliciting challenges and opportunities of working with the electronic health record in clinical practice, introduction of specific patient-centered behaviors and mindful practice techniques, and video demonstrating contrasts in common behavior and "better practices." One hundred thirty-nine resident physicians and faculty supervisors in five residency training programs at the University of Rochester Medical Center participated in the workshops. Participants were asked to complete an 11-item survey of behaviors related to their use of the electronic health record prior to training and after attending training. We used paired t-tests to assess changes in self-reported behavior from pre-intervention to post-intervention.
  
  
  
  We trained 139 clinicians in the workshops; 110 participants completed the baseline assessment and 39 completed both the baseline and post-intervention assessment. Data from post-curriculum respondents found a statistically significant increase in "I told the patient when turning my attention from the patient to the computer," from 60% of the time prior to the training to 70% of the time after.
  
  
  
  Data from our program evaluation demonstrated improvement in one communication behavior. Sample size limited the detection of other changes; further research should investigate effective training techniques for patient-centered communication while using the electronic health record.
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA colleen_fogarty@urmc.rochester.edu.
authors: Colleen T
authors: CT
authors: Fogarty
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Winters
authors: Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors: Subrina
authors: S
authors: Farah
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003479:Curriculum; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: clinical communication; electronic health record; health professionals training