The Outcomes of Communication Training by a Clinical Psychologist for Junior Pharmacists

Mai Nishida; Takashi Imamura; Yuka Nagao; Natsuki Yamada; Sayoko Oguma; Toshikatsu Okuda; Shinsuke Akagi; Hidenori Tokuda; Kazunobu Takayanagi

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The Outcomes of Communication Training by a Clinical Psychologist for Junior Pharmacists

VernacularTitle:若手薬剤師育成における臨床心理士によるコミュニケーション技術研修の効果
Author: Mai NISHIDA ¹ ; Takashi IMAMURA ² ; Yuka NAGAO ¹ ; Natsuki YAMADA ¹ ; Sayoko OGUMA ¹ ; Toshikatsu OKUDA ¹ ; Shinsuke AKAGI ¹ ; Hidenori TOKUDA ¹ ; Kazunobu TAKAYANAGI ¹
Author Information

1. Department of Pharmacy, Ohara Healthcare Foundation Kurashiki Central Hospital
2. Palliative care team, Ohara Healthcare Foundation Kurashiki Central Hospital
Keywords: communication; education; role playing; psychology
From:Japanese Journal of Drug Informatics 2020;22(2):91-100
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: Objective: Basic communication skills are essential in all health personnel, including pharmacists. All junior pharmacists at Kurashiki Central Hospital undergo communication training, which is given by a clinical psychologist. In order to evaluate the outcomes of this training, we analyzed self-evaluation data for changes in professional communication skills, awareness and behavior before and after training.Methods: Training consisted of a lecture on communication skills with patients by a clinical psychologist and consequent role-play activities using a script. We conducted a self-evaluation questionnaire of pharmacist-patient interactions before and after training,from which we analyzed changes in self-evaluation. Each participant rated their own communication skills from 1 to 10 and both professional awareness and behavior from 1 to 5.Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in the mean rating for communication skills 3 months (6.47±1.23) and 9 months (6.68±1.08) after training compared to the same ratings before (4.85±1.49) and 1 month (5.45±1.60) after training (p＜0.01). Participants reported that lecture topics on silence, blank facial expressions, and lack of empathy to patients were particularily useful in improving their professional awareness skillset.Conclusion: Our study showed that the training enabled participants to extend their empathy and better estimate the personal feelings of patients. Communication skills training by a clinical psychologist seems especially useful for improving the basic communication skills in the pharmacist.