Abstract
BACKGROUND: High-quality person-centred communication for those living with serious illness benefits patients, families, and health care professionals (HCPs). However, research suggests that HCPs often find it challenging to engage in these discussions. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the 'All providers Better Communication Skills' (ABCs), an online blended learning program delivered over three months. The ABCs program seeks to complement existing programs by adopting an interprofessional and person-centred educational philosophy, teaching core communication skills that can be utilized by any clinician across many conversations and healthcare settings, and investigating outcomes focused on clinician's skill acquisition and behavior change. METHODS: We will conduct a Canada-wide prospective stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial with interprofessional HCPs. All participants will receive the intervention, however, there will be a delay in the intervention for those randomly assigned to the control group. Our study will measure change in pre and post intervention scores for all participants. The primary outcome consists of external expert rater assessments of participants' video-recorded Standardized Patient (SP) encounters using the validated Assessment of Clinical Encounters - Communication Tool. Secondary outcomes include: participant self-assessments on self-efficacy using the validated Self-Efficacy-12 measure, as well as competence using the Patient and Family-Centered Communication subscale from the validated End-of-Life Professional Caregiver Survey; and SP ratings using the validated Questionnaire on the Quality of Physician-Patient Interaction and Feeling Heard and Understood measures. Learning experience and perceived usability of the program will also be assessed through the validated Blended Learning Usability Evaluation - Questionnaire and semi-structured interviews following program completion. DISCUSSION: This study is a national trial evaluating the effectiveness of a communication program for interprofessional HCPs. This research will generate evidence on ways of improving conversations about serious illness. With improved communication skills, clinicians can better support patients and families in their illness understanding, deliver care that better aligns with their patients' goals and values, improve care-related outcomes and experiences, and optimize healthcare resources - all of which can support health system strengthening. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06606470 .