Video Feedback Improves Anesthesia Residents' Communication Skill and Performance on Showing Empathy During Preoperative Interviews.

Objectives: To determine the impact of scenario-based lecture and personalized video feedback on anesthesia residents' communication skills during preoperative visits.

Methods: A total of 24 anesthesia residents were randomly divided into a video group and a control group. Residents in both groups took part in a simulated interview and received a scenario-based lecture on how to communicate with patients during preoperative visits. Afterwards, residents in the video group received personalized video feedback recorded during the simulated interview. One week later all the residents undertook another simulated interview. The communication skills of all the residents were assessed using the Consultation and Relational Empathy measure (CARE) scale by two examiners and one standardized patient (SP), both of whom were blinded to the group allocation.

Results: CARE scores were comparable between the two groups before training, and significantly improved after training in both groups (all P < 0.05). The video group showed significantly greater increase in CARE score after the training than the control group, especially assessed by the SP (t = 6.980, P <0.001). There were significant correlations between the examiner-assessed scores and SP-assessed scores (both P = 0.001).

Conclusions: Scenario-based lectures with simulated interviews provide a good method for training communication skills of anesthesia residents, and personalized video feedback can enhance their performance on showing empathy during preoperative interview.