All Providers Better Communication Skills Program (ABCs) Interprofessional Provider Education Randomized Controlled Trial

What this Trial Is About

Many health care providers find it challenging to communicate with patients living with serious illness, and current training programs often lack consistency and focus on person-centered care. This research evaluates the 'All providers Better Communication Skills program' (ABCs), a blended educational intervention designed to improve clinician confidence and skills in having important conversations about serious illness, aiming to promote earlier access to palliative care. The trial compares the impact of this training on provider competency and behavior against no training in a randomized controlled design. The ABCs program consists of five online modules and three interactive virtual workshops that teach essential communication skills, including effective communication principles, conversation structure, and reflective practice. Participants include health care providers at all levels of training and practice. In this stepped wedge trial, half of the participants start without training and later receive the full ABCs program, allowing all to eventually complete the intervention. Participants will be assessed before and after completing the ABCs program through simulated patient encounters, self-evaluations, and surveys to measure communication skills, confidence, and satisfaction. The study includes follow-ups at 4 and 8 months to gauge skill acquisition and behavior changes. Researchers will analyze these data to understand how the training affects provider communication and patient care experiences over a total period of up to 14 months post-enrollment.

All Providers Better Communication Skills Program' (ABCs)