Families as educators: a family-centered approach to teaching communication skills to neonatology fellows

Objective To determine whether the use of family members as educators in a structured educational intervention would increase neonatology fellows’ confidence in performing core communication skills targeted to guide family decision-making. Study Design Neonatology fellows at two centers participated in simulation-based training utilizing formally trained family members of former patients. Fellows completed self-assessment surveys before participating, immediately following participation, and 1-month following the training. Family members also evaluated fellow communication. Results For each core competency assessed, there was a statistically significant increase in self-perceived preparedness from pre-course to post-course assessments. Fellows additionally endorsed using skills learned in the curriculum in daily clinical practice. Family educators rated fellow communication highest in empathetic listening and nonverbal communication. Conclusions Participation in a communication skills curriculum utilizing formally trained family members as educators for medical trainees successfully increased fellows’ self-perceived preparedness in selected core competencies in communication. Family educators provided useful, generalizable feedback.