Novel approaches to communication skills development: The untapped potential of qualitative research immersion

Amy S Porter; Cameka Woods; Erica C Kaye; QUEST Working Group

doi:10.1016/j.pecinn.2022.100079

Novel approaches to communication skills development: The untapped potential of qualitative research immersion

PEC Innov. 2022 Aug 26:1:100079. doi: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2022.100079. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Authors

Amy S Porter¹, Cameka Woods¹, Erica C Kaye¹; QUEST Working Group

Collaborators

QUEST Working Group:
Taylor Aglio¹, Jacob Applegarth², Kelly Bien¹, Tharwa Bilbeisi³, Emma Chow^{1

4}, Katie Greer⁵, Rachel Huber¹, Ashley Kiefer Autrey⁶, Sarah Rockwell⁷, Marta Salek¹, Melanie Stall⁸, Mariela Trejo⁹, Yenny Yang¹⁰, Kristina Zalud¹¹

Affiliations

¹ St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
² Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, MI, USA (Jacob).
³ University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA.
⁴ Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, USA.
⁵ University of California Davis Children's Hospital, Sacramento, CA, USA.
⁶ Children's Hospital of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA.
⁷ Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
⁸ University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
⁹ University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
¹⁰ University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
¹¹ St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA.

Abstract

Objective: Participation in qualitative research, particularly analysis of recorded medical dialogue, offers real-time, longitudinal immersion that can strengthen clinical trainee communication skills. The study objective was to explore how qualitative research participation impacts clinical trainees' self-perceived communication skills development and practice.

Methods: In this study, a 17-member multidisciplinary working group of child life specialists, advanced practice providers, undergraduate/medical students, residents, fellows, attending physicians, social scientists, and career researchers with recent qualitative and communication research experience assembled to discuss this topic using a structured discussion guide. Content analysis was used to identify concepts and themes.

Results: Three key themes characterizing the impact of qualitative research participation on aspiring clinicians' communication skills development and practice arose - the 3Cs: (1) Connection, therapeutic alliance, and accompaniment; (2) Clarity and prognostic communication; (3) Compassion, empathy, and understanding. Participants emphasized that qualitative research learning improved their understanding of patient/family lived experiences, preparing them for future clinical encounters, strengthening their emotional intelligence, and promoting self-care, resilience, and professional affirmation.

Conclusions: Immersion in clinical communication through participation in qualitative research is an under-utilized resource for supporting clinical trainees in communication skills development.

Innovation: The process of collaborative knowledge production through the collective exploration of an a priori question related to group members' collective experiences is methodologically innovative. Further, re-thinking qualitative research participation as an underutilized educational opportunity is pedagogically novel, and leaders in medical education and qualitative research should collaborate to realize the potential of this teaching tool.

Keywords: Communication research; Communication training; Medical education; Qualitative research.