Improving self-reported empathy and communication skills through harm in healthcare response training

Objective Communication and Resolution Programs (CRP) were developed to equip healthcare organizations with tools to respond when physical and psychological harm occurs. Our objective was to assess development of empathic behaviors and communication skills through CRP training based upon the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) CANDOR toolkit to assess the ability to develop and improve empathic behaviors and communication skills. Methods The Jefferson Scale of Empathy, the CANDOR Communication Assessment Questionnaire and a self-assessment were used pre- and post-intervention to analyze development of empathy, growth of communication, and improvement in confidence and knowledge through 6 h of virtual education over a six-week course. Results Self-reported communication, confidence and knowledge improved with statistical significance and small to moderate effect size in both men and women. A statistically significant improvement of self-reported empathy scores t (22) = 2.23, p = .037; (95% CI = 0.41 to 11.5) for women only represented a small to moderate effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.46). While there was no improvement in Cognitive Complexity, (Cohen’s d = 0.065) mean pre-post .42 (SD = 6.52); Message Design Logic improved with statistical significance in paired pre-and post-assessment (Z = -3.28, p = .001). Notably, previous attendance at CANDOR classes demonstrated no impact on improvement of scores. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate improvement in self-reported empathy and communication skills through harm in healthcare response training. Healthcare organizations should carefully consider investing in CANDOR training for the benefit of patients, their families, and healthcare workforce members.