Medical improvisation training to enhance the antenatal counseling skills of neonatologists and neonatal fellows: a pilot study. (3rd August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sawyer, Taylor; Fu, Belinda; Gray, Megan; Umoren, Rachel
• Is Part Of: Journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine. Volume 30:Number 15(2017)
• Page Start: 1865
• Page End: 1869
• Publication Date: 2017-08-03
• Subjects: Medical improvisation -- medical improv -- improvisational medicine -- improvisational theater -- antenatal counseling -- prenatal counseling -- neonatal counseling; Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Perinatology -- Periodicals; Infants (Newborn) -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; 618.2
• DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2016.1228059
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-7058

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction : Neonatologists must be skilled at providing antenatal counseling to expectant parents of premature infants at the limits of viability. We conducted a medical improvisation workshop with the objective of enhancing antenatal counseling skills. Methods : Pre- and postworkshop questionnaires were collected to examine the impact of the training. A follow-up survey was distributed 3 months after the workshop to examine the impact of the training on antenatal counseling skills. Results : Nine neonatologists and three neonatal fellows participated in the workshop. Participants reported the skills learned in the workshop could enhance the quality of antenatal counseling. On follow-up survey, 90% of subjects reported improvements in the quality of their antenatal counseling. Discussion : Participation in a medical improvisation workshop resulted in enhancements of self-perceived antenatal counseling skills. Medical improvisation training may provide a feasible and effective method of communication training for neonatologists. Further research into this innovative method are needed.