Interventions Used to Improve Communication Competencies in Surgical Residencies: A Systematic Review

Dalia Karol; Aleena Malik; Eleni Philippopoulos; Kameela Alibhai; Claire Jones; Evan Tannenbaum

doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2024.09.003

Interventions Used to Improve Communication Competencies in Surgical Residencies: A Systematic Review

J Surg Educ. 2024 Dec;81(12):103284. doi: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2024.09.003. Epub 2024 Oct 9.

Authors

Dalia Karol¹, Aleena Malik², Eleni Philippopoulos³, Kameela Alibhai⁴, Claire Jones⁵, Evan Tannenbaum⁶

Affiliations

¹ University of Toronto, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].
² University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
³ McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
⁴ University of Toronto, Department of General Surgery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁵ University of Toronto, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Mount Sinai Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
⁶ University of Toronto, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Mount Sinai Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

PMID: 39388971
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2024.09.003

Abstract

Objective: To explore which educational interventions have been used to address communication skill in surgical residents.

Design: Systematic review.

Results: Several interventions have been used to improve communication skill in residency, including simulation, standardized patients, and didactic teaching. These interventions vary widely, yet the majority of interventions tend to result in improvement in resident communication skill.

Conclusions: Communication is an essential skill for surgical trainees to learn. Integration of communication-focused educational interventions can lead to improved skill development in surgical residents.

Keywords: Communication; clinical competence; curriculum; health communication; internship & residency; surgical education.

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Clinical Competence*
Communication*
Education, Medical, Graduate / methods
General Surgery* / education
Humans
Internship and Residency*
Simulation Training