Development of a veteran engagement toolkit for researchers.

AIM: Engaging patients in the planning, implementation and dissemination of research can increase the credibility and relevance of results and lead to higher quality, more patient-centered care. Veterans have unique experiences and healthcare needs, making their input on research related to their care particularly important. However, existing veteran engagement resources primarily focus on veterans who receive care through the Veterans Health Administration (VA). This excludes those veterans - the majority - who do not use the VA for healthcare. METHODS: To address this gap, we developed a veteran engagement toolkit that was informed by the work of both VA and non-VA researchers across the USA. RESULTS: The resulting toolkit provides guidance on essential engagement activities relevant to researchers in a variety of settings. Conclusion: Investigators wishing to engage the veteran community may benefit from the experience and lessons summarized in this veteran-informed toolkit, in addition to resources directed at informing community engagement more generally.

A Statewide Surgical Coaching Program Provides Opportunity for Continuous Professional Development.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to develop and evaluate a video-based coaching program for board-eligible/certified surgeons. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Multiple disciplines utilize coaching for continuous professional development; however, coaching is not routinely employed for practicing surgeons. METHODS: Peer-nominated surgeons were trained as coaches then paired with participant surgeons. After setting goals, each coaching pair reviewed video-recorded operations performed by the participating surgeon. Coaching sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded to identify topics discussed. The effectiveness with which our coaches were able to utilize the core principles and activities of coaching was evaluated using 3 different approaches: self-evaluation; evaluation by the participants; and assessment by the study team. Surveys of participating surgeons and coach-targeted interviews provided general feedback on the program. All measures utilized a 5-point Likert scale format ranging from 1 (low) to 5 (high). RESULTS: Coach-participant surgeon pairs targeted technical, cognitive, and interpersonal aspects of performance. Other topics included managing intraoperative stress. Mean objective ratings of coach effectiveness was 3.1 ±â€Š0.7, ranging from 2.0 to 5.0 on specific activities of coaching. Subjective ratings by coaches and participants were consistently higher. Coaches reported that the training provided effectively prepared them to facilitate coaching sessions. Participants were similarly positive about interactions with their coaches. Identified barriers were related to audio-video technology and scheduling of sessions. Overall, participants were satisfied with their experience (mean 4.4 ±â€Š0.7) and found the coaching program valuable (mean 4.7 ±â€Š0.7). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of cross-institutional surgical coaching for the continuous professional development of practicing surgeons, demonstrating perceived value among participants, as well as logistical challenges for implementing this evidence-based program. Future research is necessary to evaluate the impact of coaching on practice change and patient outcomes.

Strategies for Building Peer Surgical Coaching Relationships.

Importance: Peer surgical coaching is a promising approach for continuing professional development. However, scant guidance is available for surgeons seeking to develop peer-coaching skills. Executive coaching research suggests that effective coaches first establish a positive relationship with their coachees by aligning role and process expectations, establishing rapport, and cultivating mutual trust. Objective: To identify the strategies used by peer surgical coaches to develop effective peer-coaching relationships with their coachees. Design, Setting, and Participants: Drawing on executive coaching literature, a 3-part framework was developed to examine the strategies peer surgical coaches (n = 8) used to initially cultivate a relationship with their coachees (n = 11). Eleven introductory 1-hour meetings between coaching pairs participating in a statewide surgical coaching program were audiorecorded, transcribed, and coded on the basis of 3 relationship-building components. Once coded, thematic analysis was used to organize coded strategies into thematic categories and subcategories. Data were collected from October 10, 2014, to March 20, 2015. Data analysis took place from May 26, 2015, to July 20, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures: Strategies and potentially counterproductive activities for building peer-coaching relationships in the surgical context to inform the future training of surgical coaches. Results: Coaches used concrete strategies to align role and process expectations about the coaching process, to establish rapport, and to cultivate mutual trust with their coachees during introductory meetings. Potential coaching pitfalls are identified that could interfere with each of the 3 relationship-building components. Conclusions and Relevance: Peer-nominated surgical coaches were provided with training on abstract concepts that underlie effective coaching practices in other fields. By identifying the strategies used by peer surgical coaches to operationalize these concepts, empirically based strategies to inform other surgical coaching programs are provided.