Health Care : Current Reviews

GLOBAL APPLICATION OF THE ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS OF PAEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY FELLOWS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DIFFERENCES OF SEX DEVELOPMENT USING THE ESPE E-LEARNING.ORG PORTAL

Joint Event on 2^nd International Conference on Healthcare & Hospital Management and 6^th International Conference on Medical & Nursing Education

November 6-7, 2017 | Vienna, Austria

Laura J C Kranenburg, Stenvert L S Drop, Sam T H Reerds, Martine Cools, Julie Alderson, Miriam Muscarella, Ellie Magritte and Kalinka Grijpink

Maasstad Ziekenhuis, Netherlands
Erasmus MC, Netherlands
Ghent University, Belgium
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, UK
University of California, USA
DSDFamilies, UK
Delft University of Technology, Netherlands

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Health Care Current Reviews

Abstract:

Information-sharing in chronic conditions such as Disorders/Differences of Sex Development (DSD) is essential for a comprehensive understanding by parents and patients. Information sharing in DSD conditions is particularly challenging as the management of individuals with DSD is continually evolving and is also taking place within the context of changing perceptions of sex and gender. Communicating DSD information requires navigating difficult subjects such anticipated stigma, potential future sexual activity or fertility, and awareness of one�??s own tendencies to perpetuate own cultural norms that might negatively affect the developing identity of an individual with DSD. We report on a qualitative analysis of communication skills of fellows undergoing training in paediatric endocrinology. Fellows worldwide were invited to study two interactive online cases and to describe communication with the parents of a newborn with CAH and a young woman with 46XY gonadal dysgenesis. The replies were analyzed on completeness, quality and evidence of empathy. Guidelines for structured assessment of responses were developed and evaluation guidelines were created. Fellows�?? replies showed considerable variation in completeness, quality of wording and empathy. Many aspects of competent clinical communication were not mentioned such as long-term implications and reassurance. In 15-17% (case 1;2) the overall assessment of the replies was considered poor/insufficient by the experts. Interestingly we noted considerable diversity in the application of the guidelines to assess communication skills among the senior experts. The guidelines were adjusted to a three-level assessment to better reflect the qualitative differences in the replies and for simplicity of use. E-learning can play an important role not only when preparing for face-to-face experiences but also in assessing communication skills of trainees and physician educators. Moreover, a practical tool is provided to assess information sharing with patients with DSD and their families, and should be refined by interdisciplinary health professionals and patient representatives.

Biography :

Laura J C Kranenburg combines a background as Industrial Design Engineer with an interest in medical education in her current PhD programme. She focusses on the improvement of communication skills for medical specialists in training with the use of E-learning. After completing her study at the Technical University in Delft, the Netherlands, she got her medical degree at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. Currently she is pursuing specialization in Rheumatology and has published several studies on the use of E-learning in an international setting. Her work illustrates the power of direct feedback between tutor and student using E-learning. Especially the education of communication skills and shared decision making is of interest in her work.