Faculty Collaboration Database

Use of Peer- and Self-Evaluation to Improve Conversations with Interfacility Referring Clinicians. WMJ 2022 Dec;121(4):301-305

Date

01/14/2023

Pubmed ID

36637842

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85146365040 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   2 Citations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric hospital medicine physicians receive little formal training in communicating with interfacility referring clinicians. We sought to improve pediatric hospital medicine physician confidence and communication scores by 10% during patient triage calls from interfacility referring providers via a continuing professional development initiative.

METHODS: We conducted a single-center 10-month quality improvement project. Confidence was assessed via survey before and after the initiative. A novel self- and peer-evaluation tool was used to assess accepting pediatric hospital medicine physician communication on recorded calls. Call assessment scores were measured at baseline, cycle 1, and cycle 2. Interventions included group discussion and development of a scripting flowsheet.

RESULTS: Twenty pediatric hospital medicine physicians participated and completed a total of 203 call assessments. From baseline to post-initiative, general confidence communicating with referring clinicians increased by 13% (mean ranks 11.8, 16.8, respectively), and specific confidence communicating when there is a difference of opinion increased significantly by 37% (mean ranks 9.8, 19.2, P < 0.001). Interfacility transfer conversation evaluation scores increased by 11%.

DISCUSSION: Our initiative improved accepting physician's confidence and communication evaluation scores using self- and peer-evaluation, group reflection, and a scripting flowsheet. Self- and peer-evaluation of recorded calls can be an effective intervention for building physician confidence in communicating with referring clinicians.

Author List

Nelson A, Melamed S, Bauer SC, Preloger E, Porada K, Hadjiev J

Authors

Sarah Bauer MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Anika M. Nelson MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Erin M. Preloger MD Interim Chief, Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Jennifer M. Watson MD Associate Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Child
Communication
Diagnostic Self Evaluation
Humans
Physicians
Surveys and Questionnaires
Triage