Is it possible to improve residents breaking bad news skills? A randomised study assessing the efficacy of a communication skills training program

Background: This study aims to assess the efficacy of a 40-h training programme designed to teach residents the communication skills needed to break the bad news. Methods: Residents were randomly assigned to the training programme or to a waiting list. A simulated patient breaking bad news (BBN) consultation was audiotaped at baseline and after training in the training group and 8 months after baseline in the waiting-list group. Transcripts were analysed by tagging the used communication skills with a content analysis software (LaComm) and by tagging the phases of bad news delivery: pre-delivery, delivery and post-delivery. Training effects were tested with generalised estimating equation (GEE) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results: The trained residents ( n =50) used effective communication skills more often than the untrained residents ( n =48): more open questions (relative rate (RR)=5.79; P