Randomised controlled trial of a brief intervention targeting predominantly non-verbal communication in general practice consultations
Randomised controlled trial of a brief intervention targeting predominantly non-verbal communication in general practice consultations
Background
The impact of changing non-verbal consultation behaviours is unknown.
Aim
To assess brief physician training on improving predominantly non-verbal communication.
Design and setting
Cluster randomised parallel group trial among adults aged ?16 years attending general practices close to the study coordinating centres in Southampton.
Method
Sixteen GPs were randomised to no training, or training consisting of a brief presentation of behaviours identified from a prior study (acronym KEPe Warm: demonstrating Knowledge of the patient; Encouraging [back-channelling by saying ‘hmm’, for example]; Physically engaging [touch, gestures, slight lean]; Warm-up: cool/professional initially, warming up, avoiding distancing or non-verbal cut-offs at the end of the consultation); and encouragement to reflect on videos of their consultation. Outcomes were the Medical Interview Satisfaction Scale (MISS) mean item score (1–7) and patients’ perceptions of other domains of communication.
Results
Intervention participants scored higher MISS overall (0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.06 to 0.41), with the largest changes in the distress–relief and perceived relationship subscales. Significant improvement occurred in perceived communication/partnership (0.29, 95% CI = 0.09 to 0.49) and health promotion (0.26, 95% CI = 0.05 to 0.46). Non-significant improvements occurred in perceptions of a personal relationship, a positive approach, and understanding the effects of the illness on life.
Conclusion
Brief training of GPs in predominantly non-verbal communication in the consultation and reflection on consultation videotapes improves patients’ perceptions of satisfaction, distress, a partnership approach, and health promotion.
communication, consultation, general practice, nonverbal communication, patient satisfaction
e351-e356
Little, Paul
1bf2d1f7-200c-47a5-ab16-fe5a8756a777
White, Peter
f33829fd-24c9-4b44-a148-24eca9d52253
Kelly, Joanne
b7094829-aeb1-4bc1-b64c-7b7c716f73b5
Everitt, Hazel
80b9452f-9632-45a8-b017-ceeeee6971ef
Mercer, Stewart
e6f2116e-6556-4f7f-b894-bf8b07e8c379
1 June 2015
Little, Paul
1bf2d1f7-200c-47a5-ab16-fe5a8756a777
White, Peter
f33829fd-24c9-4b44-a148-24eca9d52253
Kelly, Joanne
b7094829-aeb1-4bc1-b64c-7b7c716f73b5
Everitt, Hazel
80b9452f-9632-45a8-b017-ceeeee6971ef
Mercer, Stewart
e6f2116e-6556-4f7f-b894-bf8b07e8c379
Little, Paul, White, Peter, Kelly, Joanne, Everitt, Hazel and Mercer, Stewart
(2015)
Randomised controlled trial of a brief intervention targeting predominantly non-verbal communication in general practice consultations.
British Journal of General Practice, 65 (635), .
(doi:10.3399/bjgp15X685237).
(PMID:26009529)
Abstract
Background
The impact of changing non-verbal consultation behaviours is unknown.
Aim
To assess brief physician training on improving predominantly non-verbal communication.
Design and setting
Cluster randomised parallel group trial among adults aged ?16 years attending general practices close to the study coordinating centres in Southampton.
Method
Sixteen GPs were randomised to no training, or training consisting of a brief presentation of behaviours identified from a prior study (acronym KEPe Warm: demonstrating Knowledge of the patient; Encouraging [back-channelling by saying ‘hmm’, for example]; Physically engaging [touch, gestures, slight lean]; Warm-up: cool/professional initially, warming up, avoiding distancing or non-verbal cut-offs at the end of the consultation); and encouragement to reflect on videos of their consultation. Outcomes were the Medical Interview Satisfaction Scale (MISS) mean item score (1–7) and patients’ perceptions of other domains of communication.
Results
Intervention participants scored higher MISS overall (0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.06 to 0.41), with the largest changes in the distress–relief and perceived relationship subscales. Significant improvement occurred in perceived communication/partnership (0.29, 95% CI = 0.09 to 0.49) and health promotion (0.26, 95% CI = 0.05 to 0.46). Non-significant improvements occurred in perceptions of a personal relationship, a positive approach, and understanding the effects of the illness on life.
Conclusion
Brief training of GPs in predominantly non-verbal communication in the consultation and reflection on consultation videotapes improves patients’ perceptions of satisfaction, distress, a partnership approach, and health promotion.
Text
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Accepted/In Press date: 21 October 2014
e-pub ahead of print date: 26 May 2015
Published date: 1 June 2015
Keywords:
communication, consultation, general practice, nonverbal communication, patient satisfaction
Organisations:
Primary Care & Population Sciences
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 378260
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/378260
ISSN: 0960-1643
PURE UUID: 55775d3a-c13a-4145-8153-4c1bc7fb5576
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 22 Jun 2015 15:40
Last modified: 12 Jul 2024 01:38
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Contributors
Author:
Peter White
Author:
Stewart Mercer
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