Communication skills in Nephrology fellows
Jane Schell and Robert Cohen, MD

1         Communication skills education is not as accepted in nephrology fellows.

2         The communication skills education has to be more content and not didactics.

3         Using role play exercises and simulated patients has worked.

4         OncoTalk- nationally recognized teaching workshop for oncology fellows- and now we have NephroTalk.

5         Communication workshops in Boston and Pittsburgh- N-19

6         Didactics were brief and then small group practices- breaking bad news, dialysis decision making and transitions of end of life care.

7         Standardized patients and facilitators were used.

8         Pre and post survey completed by all nineteen fellows

9         For all eight communication skills- fellows levels of preparedness improved in all major fronts with p value significant.

10     The topics included not offering dialysis, withdrawing dialysis and death and dying in CKD patients.

11     Learning satisfaction was rated highly.

12     The use of role play can be used in nephrology communication skills and all levels improved in fellows.

13     This can help for template for training programs to put it at work in nephrology fellowships.

Post written by Dr. Kenar Jhaveri, eAJKD Editor.

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