Communication Coaching in Cardiology (CCC): A study protocol and methodological challenges and solutions of a randomized controlled trial in outpatient cardiology clinics

Given the role of effective communication in improving patient adherence and satisfaction, high quality patient-clinician communication is critical. Building on previous communication interventions in oncology and pediatrics, we developed a tailored communication coaching intervention to improve empathic communication quality and patient-centered care. In this randomized controlled trial, cardiologists record their patient encounters for review by a communication coach who provides tailored feedback. We are recruiting 40 cardiologists and 400 patients, or 4 patients per cardiologist in the Pre-intervention phase and 6 patients per cardiologists in the Post-intervention phase, from outpatient cardiology clinics within the Duke Health System. The primary goal of the trial is to determine the efficacy of the clinician communication coaching versus usual care in the post-intervention phase (240 patient encounters). In this paper, we describe the development of the communication coaching intervention. We also describe the details of the methods and outcomes of the ongoing trial. Finally, we discuss the challenges, solutions, and lessons learned during the start-up phase of the study.