Work

To assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of communication among ICU trainees across India, TALK ICU SURVEY

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Effective communication skills are the key component in the doctor-patient relationship. We aimed to assess the level of knowledge of communication among the ICU trainees across India. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide survey. The survey comprised diverse aspects like breaking bad news, taking informed consent, communicating a medical error, reasons for multidisciplinary conflicts, and end-of-life care (EOLC) policies. RESULTS: A total of 146 responses were analysed. The predominant age group was 31–40 yrs. (72.60%) with female preponderance (63.7%). Most trainees had 1–5 years of work experience, had post-graduation in anesthesiology, and enrolled for the Indian Diploma in Critical Care Medicine. Only around 50% had formal communication training. Barriers to counselling were the education level of the family (78.76%), language (43.15%), burnout of the treating doctor (43.15%), and the severity of illness (41.09%). The majority were aware of the EOLC policy (59.58%) and felt this was the need of the hour (96.57%). The SPIKES (Setting up, Perception, Invitation, Knowledge, Emotions with Empathy, and Strategy or Summary) protocol was mentioned only by 13.98% of trainees as a strategy for communication. Trainees who had received formal training in communication had more experience in communicating a medical error and had less difficulty in breaking bad news as compared to trainees with no formal training in communication (p < 0.05). Reasons for interdisciplinary conflicts among doctors included communication and knowledge gaps, ego, and differences of opinion. The trainees suggested strategies for improving communication skills, including formal training, real-time communication experience under supervision, the use of simulation, and adherence to standard operating procedures. CONCLUSION: The current survey revealed that trainees lacked adequate knowledge and skills in communication. These findings can help design the training curriculum focused on communication skills.

Source: BMC Medical Education

DOI: 10.1186/s12909-025-07977-z

Authors: Amarja Ashok Havaldar, Harshavardhini C P

Institution: St.John's Medical College Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,990