Effects of discharge education using teach-back methods in patients with heart failure: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is one of the most common causes of hospital readmission. Self-care is an essential but challenging task for patients with heart failure, and inadequate self-care is closely related to unplanned readmission and unnecessary health expenditure. Patient-centered education using the teach-back method emerged as a key strategy to prevent patients' adverse events by improving self-care. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of discharge education using the teach-back method on self-care, self-care efficacy, symptoms of heart failure, caregiver dependency, and unplanned healthcare resource utilization among patients with heart failure. DESIGN: A prospective, two-arm randomized controlled trial. SETTING(S): Four adult cardiology units at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 100 patients diagnosed with heart failure and scheduled to be discharged to their homes. METHODS: The intervention group received the HEART program® in addition to the usual discharge education by a trained nurse before discharge, while the control group received usual discharge education only. The discharge education included the definition of heart failure, medication, symptom management, diet, physical activity, and other precautions. Data on self-care (self-care maintenance; symptom-perception; self-care management), self-care efficacy, symptoms of heart failure, and caregiver dependency were measured at 7-days after discharge (T1), and unplanned healthcare resource utilization (including readmission, emergency room visit, and healthcare professional contacts) was assessed at 1-month after discharge (T2). Outcomes were analyzed with ANCOVA. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients (intervention group = 45, control group = 49) completed outcome measurements at the three-time points. Participants in the intervention group showed a significant improvement in self-care maintenance (F = 11.597, p = 0.001), symptom perception (F = 20.173, p < 0.001), self-care management (F = 7.205, p = 0.009), and self-care efficacy (F = 4.210, p = 0.043) compared to the control group. However, there were no statistically significant differences in symptoms of heart failure, caregiver dependency, and unplanned healthcare resource utilization between the two groups (all ps > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrated that discharge education using the teach-back method is an effective educational strategy to improve self-care and self-care efficacy in patients with heart failure. We recommend nurses implement discharge education using the teach-back method for patients with heart failure. REGISTRATION: This study was registered at the Clinical Research Information Service (KCT0004444) on November 15, 2019, and the participant recruitment was initiated in June 2020.

Investigating the effect of teach-back method on improving the lifestyle of health ambassadors in Urmia.

BACKGROUND: Adopting a healthy lifestyle is necessary to maintain and promote health. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of teach-back method on improving the lifestyle of health ambassadors in Urmia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, 200 health ambassadors were participated. The research sample was obtained using simple random sampling method. Data collection tool was a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and lifestyle standard. The educational intervention was performed in 4 sessions of 45 min based on the teach-back method. Data were collected through a lifestyle questionnaire before and 3 months after the educational intervention. Then, the data were analyzed by mean and standard deviation, independent t-test, paired t-test, and Chi-square test through SPSS 19. RESULTS: The results showed that 24% of the control group and 21% of the intervention group had a good lifestyle before the educational intervention. After the educational intervention 27% of the control group and 54% of the intervention group were in good lifestyle. The results also showed that the mean score of total lifestyle and all its dimensions in the intervention group increased compared to the control group after the educational intervention and the difference between the mean score of total lifestyle and all its dimensions in the intervention group after the intervention was significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among health ambassadors, teach-back communication is more effective in improving the lifestyle. Therefore, it is suggested that this method must be used in designing training programs for health ambassadors.

The effect of Teach-back method education on the control of asthma and family care pressure of patients in Iran.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of teach-back education on patient asthma control and family care pressure of patients with asthma. METHODS: The present study is a clinical trial and the study population was patients referred to Shahid Faghihi and Shahid Motahhari clinics in Shiraz, Iran. 58 patients with asthma and their caregivers were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups, for a total of 29 subjects in each group. In the intervention group: the teach-back method was delivered individually to the patient and his or her primary caregiver in three sessions of approximately 60 minutes at one-day intervals. each session included presentations, practical techniques and a booklet. In this study, patients and caregivers in the control group were not trained. Before the intervention, 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention, asthma control test and spirometry test were performed to evaluate asthma control; Also, before the intervention and 8 weeks after the intervention, Zarit test was performed to evaluate the care burden. RESULTS: The findings of repeated measures tests showed that, compared to the control group, the intervention group obtained a greater increase in the vital capacity index (p=0.028) and in the disease control score (p=0.001), as well as a reduction in the burden of care on family members (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that teaching asthma related topics to the patient and her caregiver along with the follow-up and supervision of the nurse improves the asthma control of the patient and also reduces the caregiver pressure.

Promoting health literacy through the teach back method among Iranian health ambassadors: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Describe the effect the teach back method on promoting the health literacy of health ambassadors in Urmia County in 2020. METHODS: In the present quasi-experiment, 200 persons over 14 years old participated. They were divided into two research groups, a control (n=100) and an intervention (n=100). The sampling method was simple randomization and the data collection instrument was a questionnaire comprised of demographic information and health literacy (HELIA). The educational intervention took 4 sessions each 45 minutes in length following the teach back method. The questionnaire-based data were collected once before the intervention and once again three months after the intervention. RESULTS: The present findings showed that 54% of the control group and 50% of the intervention group had a good or very good level of health literacy before the intervention(p>0.05). However, after the intervention, 52% of the control and 78% of the intervention group had a good or very good level of health literacy. The present findings revealed that the mean scores of health literacy dimensions (access to information, reading, understanding, appraisal, decision-making) and the overall health literacy score were significantly higher in the intervention group than the control (after the intervention). Wilcoxon's test results showed that the mean difference of the overall health literacy scores and the dimensions before and after the intervention were statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the light of the present findings, we can conclude that participatory methods and the teach back method can improve health literacy, acquire reliable information and adopt healthy behaviors.

The effect of Teach-back method education on the control of asthma and family care pressure of patients in Iran / El efecto de la educación del método Teach-back en el control del asma y la carga del cuidado familiar de los pacientes en Irán / O efeito da educação do método Teach-back no controle da asma e a carga do cuidado familiar dos pacientes no Irã

Objective. To investigate the effect of teach-back education on patient asthma control and family care pressure of patients with asthma. Methods. The present study is a clinical trial and the study population was patients referred to Shahid Faghihi and Shahid Motahhari clinics in Shiraz, Iran. 58 patients with asthma and their caregivers were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups, for a total of 29 subjects in each group. In the intervention group: the teach-back method was delivered individually to the patient and his or her primary caregiver in three sessions of approximately 60 minutes at one-day intervals. each session included presentations, practical techniques and a booklet. In this study, patients and caregivers in the control group were not trained. Before the intervention, 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention, asthma control test and spirometry test were performed to evaluate asthma control; Also, before the intervention and 8 weeks after the intervention, Zarit test was performed to evaluate the care burden. Results. The findings of repeated measures tests showed that, compared to the control group, the intervention group obtained a greater increase in the vital capacity index (p=0.028) and in the disease control score (p=0.001), as well as a reduction in the burden of care on family members (p<0.001). Conclusion. The present study showed that teaching asthma related topics to the patient and her caregiver along with the follow-up and supervision of the nurse improves the asthma control of the patient and also reduces the caregiver pressure.

Objetivo. Investigar el efecto de la educación con el método teach-back sobre el control del asma y la carga del cuidado familiar de estos pacientes. Métodos. Ensayo clínico cuya población de estudio fueron los pacientes remitidos a las clínicas Shahid Faghihi y Shahid Motahhari en Shiraz, Irán. Se asignaron aleatoriamente 58 pacientes con asma y sus cuidadores a los grupos de intervención y control, con un total de 29 díadas en cada grupo. Las personas del grupo de intervención recibieron formación con el método teach-back que se impartió individualmente al paciente y a su cuidador principal en tres sesiones de aproximadamente 60 minutos en tres días consecutivos. Cada sesión incluía presentaciones, técnicas prácticas y un folleto. Los pacientes y cuidadores del grupo de control no recibieron formación. Antes de la intervención y a las 4 y 8 semanas después de la misma, se aplicaron las escalas de control del asma y la de Zarit para evaluación de la carga del cuidado y, además se practicó una espirometría. Resultados. Las pruebas de medidas repetidas entre los grupos de estudio mostraron que, comparando con el grupo control, el grupo de intervención obtuvo mayor aumento del índice de capacidad vital (p=0.028) y del puntaje de control de la enfermedad (p=0.001), además, se redujo la carga del cuidado en los familiares (p<0.001). Conclusión. El presente estudio mostró que con la enseñanza de temas relacionados con el asma al paciente y a su cuidador, junto con el seguimiento y la supervisión de la enfermera, se mejora el control del asma en el paciente y también se reduce la carga del cuidador.

Objetivo. Investigar o efeito da educação com o método teach-back sobre o controle da asma e a carga do cuidado familiar destes pacientes. Métodos. Ensaio clínico no qual a população de estudo foram os pacientes enviados às clínicas Shahid Faghihi e Shahid Motahhari em Shiraz, Irã. 58 pacientes com asma e seus cuidadores foram designados aleatoriamente aos grupos de intervenção e controle, com um total de 29 díade em cada grupo. As pessoas do grupo da intervenção receberam formação com o método teach-back que se transmitiu individualmente ao paciente e ao seu cuidador principal em três sessões de aproximadamente 60 minutos em três dias consecutivos. Cada sessão incluía apresentações, técnicas práticas e um folheto. Os pacientes e cuidadores do grupo de controle não receberam formação. Antes da intervenção e às 4 e 8 semanas depois dela, se aplicaram as escalas de controle da asma e a de Zarit para avaliação da carga do cuidado e, além disso se praticou uma espirometria. Resultados. As provas de medidas repetidas entre os grupos de estudo mostraram que, comparando com o grupo de controle, o grupo de intervenção obteve maior aumento do índice de capacidade vital (p=0.028) e da pontuação de controle da doença (p=0.001), ademais de que se reduziu a carga do cuidado nos familiares (p<0.001). Conclusão. O presente estudo mostrou que o ensino de temas relacionados com a asma ao paciente e ao seu cuidador, junto com o seguimento e a supervisão da enfermeira, se melhora o controle da asma no paciente e também se reduz a carga do cuidador.

Promoting health literacy through the teach back method among Iranian health ambassadors: A randomized controlled trial / Promoting health literacy through the teach back method among Iranian health ambassadors: A randomized controlled trial / Promoção da alfabetização em saúde mediante o método teach-back entre os embaixadores da saúde iranianos: Un ensaio controlado aleatório

Objective. Describe the effect the teach back method on promoting the health literacy of health ambassadors in Urmia County in 2020. Methods. In the present quasi-experiment, 200 persons over 14 years old participated. They were divided into two research groups, a control (n=100) and an intervention (n=100). The sampling method was simple randomization and the data collection instrument was a questionnaire comprised of demographic information and health literacy (HELIA). The educational intervention took 4 sessions each 45 minutes in length following the teach back method. The questionnaire-based data were collected once before the intervention and once again three months after the intervention. Results. The present findings showed that 54% of the control group and 50% of the intervention group had a good or very good level of health literacy before the intervention(p>0.05). However, after the intervention, 52% of the control and 78% of the intervention group had a good or very good level of health literacy. The present findings revealed that the mean scores of health literacy dimensions (access to information, reading, understanding, appraisal, decision-making) and the overall health literacy score were significantly higher in the intervention group than the control (after the intervention). Wilcoxon's test results showed that the mean difference of the overall health literacy scores and the dimensions before and after the intervention were statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion. In the light of the present findings, we can conclude that participatory methods and the teach back method can improve health literacy, acquire reliable information and adopt healthy behaviors.

Objetivo. Describir el efecto del método teach-back en la promoción de la alfabetización en salud de los embajadores de la salud en el condado de Urmia, Irán en 2020. Métodos. En el presente estudio cuasiexperimental participaron 200 personas mayores de 14 años. Mediante muestreo de aleatorización simple se asignaron los grupos de investigación: de control (n=100) y de intervención (n=100). Se empleó un instrumento para la recogida de datos que contenía información demográfica y el instrumento Health Literacy for Iranian Adults -HELIA-. La intervención educativa consistió en 4 sesiones de 45 minutos, siguiendo el método teach- back. Los datos basados en el cuestionario se recogieron antes de la intervención y tres meses después de la misma. Resultados. Los hallazgos mostraron que el 54% del grupo de control y el 50% del grupo de intervención tenían un nivel bueno o muy bueno de conocimientos sobre alfabetización en salud antes de la intervención (p>0.05). Sin embargo, después de la intervención, el 52% del grupo de control y el 78% del grupo de intervención tenían un nivel bueno o muy bueno de conocimientos sanitarios. Los presentes resultados revelaron que las puntuaciones medias de las dimensiones de la alfabetización en salud acceso a la información, lectura, comprensión, valoración, toma de decisiones y de la puntuación global fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo de intervención que en el de control a los 3 meses después de la intervención. Finalmente, los resultados de la prueba de Wilcoxon mostraron que la diferencia media de las puntuaciones de la alfabetización en salud y de las dimensiones antes y después de la intervención eran estadísticamente significativas (p<0.001). Conclusión. A la luz de los resultados, se pudo concluir que la aplicación del método teach-back puede mejorar los conocimientos sobre la alfabetización en salud, además de ayudar a adquirir información fiable y a adoptar comportamientos saludables.

Objetivo. Descrever o efeito do método teach-back na promoção da alfabetização em saúde dos embaixadores da saúde no condado de Urmia, Irã em 2020. Métodos. No presente estudo quase-experimental participaram 200 pessoas maiores de 14 anos. Mediante amostragem de aleatória simples foram designados aos grupos de investigação: de controle (n=100) e de intervenção (n=100). Se empregou um instrumento para o recolhimento de dados que continha informação demográfica e o instrumento Health Literacy for Iranian Adults -HELIA-. A intervenção educativa consistiu em 4 sessões de 45 minutos, seguindo o método teach- back. Os dados baseados no questionário se recolheram antes da intervenção e três meses depois dela. Resultados. As descobertas mostraram que 54% do grupo de controle e 50% do grupo de intervenção tinham um nível bom ou muito bom de conhecimentos sobre alfabetização em saúde antes da intervenção (p>0.05). Porém, depois da intervenção, 52% do grupo de controle e 78% do grupo de intervenção tinham um nível bom ou muito bom de conhecimentos sanitários. Os presentes resultados revelaram que as pontuações médias das dimensões da alfabetização em saúde acesso à informação, leitura, compreensão, valoração, toma de decisões e da pontuação global foram significativamente maiores no grupo de intervenção que no de controle aos 3 meses depois da intervenção. Finalmente, os resultados da prova de Wilcoxon mostraram que a diferença média das pontuações da alfabetização em saúde e das dimensões antes e depois da intervenção eram estatisticamente significativas (p<0.001). Conclusão. À luz dos resultados, se pôde concluir que a aplicação do método teach-back pode melhorar os conhecimentos sobre a alfabetização em saúde, além de ajudar a adquirir informação confiável e a adotar comportamentos saudáveis.

Post Discharge mHealth and Teach-Back Communication Effectiveness on Hospital Readmissions: A Systematic Review.

Hospital readmissions pose a threat to the constrained health resources, especially in resource-poor low-and middle-income countries. In such scenarios, appropriate technologies to reduce avoidable readmissions in hospitals require innovative interventions. mHealth and teach-back communication are robust interventions, utilized for the reduction in preventable hospital readmissions. This review was conducted to highlight the effectiveness of mHealth and teach-back communication in hospital readmission reduction with a view to provide the best available evidence on such interventions. Two authors independently searched for appropriate MeSH terms in three databases (PubMed, Wiley, and Google Scholar). After screening the titles and abstracts, shortlisted manuscripts were subjected to quality assessment and analysis. Two authors checked the manuscripts for quality assessment and assigned scores utilizing the QualSyst tool. The average of the scores assigned by the reviewers was calculated to assign a summary quality score (SQS) to each study. Higher scores showed methodological vigor and robustness. Search strategies retrieved a total of 1932 articles after the removal of duplicates. After screening titles and abstracts, 54 articles were shortlisted. The complete reading resulted in the selection of 17 papers published between 2002 and 2019. Most of the studies were interventional and all the studies focused on hospital readmission reduction as the primary or secondary outcome. mHealth and teach-back communication were the two most common interventions that catered for the hospital readmissions. Among mHealth studies (11 out of 17), seven studies showed a significant reduction in hospital readmissions while four did not exhibit any significant reduction. Among the teach-back communication group (6 out of 17), the majority of the studies (5 out of 6) showed a significant reduction in hospital readmissions while one publication did not elicit a significant hospital readmission reduction. mHealth and teach-back communication methods showed positive effects on hospital readmission reduction. These interventions can be utilized in resource-constrained settings, especially low- and middle-income countries, to reduce preventable readmissions.

Comparing the effects of teach-back method, multimedia and blended training on self-care and social support in patients with heart failure: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The knowledge level of caregivers and their support for patients can affect the self-care of patients with heart failure (HF). The present study was conducted to compare the effects of teach-back, multimedia, and blended training methods on self-care and social support in patients with HF and on knowledge in their caregivers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized clinical trial, a total of 150 HF patient-caregiver dyads were randomly allocated into three equally sized training groups, using a simple number table (n = 50). The study was conducted between May to October 2018 in Sari, northern Iran. In the teach-back, multimedia and blended training groups, patient-caregiver dyads participated in 20-30-min training sessions held face-to-face, using digital video disc (DVD) and combination of teach-back and DVD on 4 consecutive days at the bedside of hospitalized patients in coronary care unit, respectively. Data were collected using the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale and the multidimensional scale of perceived social support for patients. Caregivers' level of knowledge was measured using the HF Knowledge Scale. Data were measured on the first day of hospitalization, 1 day before discharge and 4 and 8 weeks after patients' discharge. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: All three educational methods improved self-care behaviors in patients. The comparison of self-care behavior scores in patients with HF among the three groups at different time points showed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05), except 1 day before discharge (P = 0.04). There were no statistically-significant differences between the teach-back, multimedia and the blended training group in terms of perceived social support at any of the four-time points (P > 0.05). All three training methods improved the level of knowledge of caregivers. However, the score in the blended training groups was higher than the other groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: According to the results of the present study, it seems that all three educational interventions can improve self-care behaviors in HF patients and increase knowledge in their caregivers. However, using the blended training method was associated with better outcomes.

Quality Improvement: Using Teach-Back to Improve Patient Satisfaction during Discharge in the Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION: Patients discharged in the emergency department often have poor understanding of their discharge instructions. Teach-back is a communication method that involves asking patients to explain in their own words what a health care provider just told them. The purpose of this project was to determine whether nurse-led teach-back at discharge could improve patient satisfaction with discharge information. METHODS: A teach-back method was used to educate patients on what to do if they do not feel better after leaving, using a single site quality improvement design. Patient satisfaction was measured using a standardized benchmark question on whether providers explained what to do if they did not feel better after leaving. The department goal for this question was established as achieving a response of "Yes, definitely" for 64.4% or more of the satisfaction surveys. Patient satisfaction data were collected before and after intervention through a survey given to patients within 24 hours after their visit. A statistical process chart was used to analyze whether the observed improvements coincided with implementation of the teach-back intervention. RESULTS: Although there was an overall increase in post-intervention scores (61%) from baseline scores (59%), there were no special cause variations signaling that the intervention had a significant impact. DISCUSSION: Teach-back may improve patient satisfaction with discharge information. Future implementation with measures of intervention adoption, fidelity, accountability, and sustainability are needed.

Development of a discharge education program using the teach-back method for heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) patients have difficulties in self-management after discharge. This study aimed to develop a discharge education program for HF patients using the teach-back method (TBM). METHODS: As a methodological study to develop a program, we applied the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation (ADDIE) model comprised of (1) analysis using EMR data, systematic review, and focus group interviews, (2) design and development of a program draft, (3) tests of program validity using 15 experts, 10 nurses, and 10 patients, and (4) development of the final program. The content validity index (CVI), and understandability and actionability of the educational material were used. RESULTS: The discharge education program provides definitions and information about medication, symptom/weight/diet management, physical activity, and other precautions. The educational method uses TBM. The overall CVI for the program was 0.96, and all item CVIs were greater than 0.8. The understandability and actionability were 90.2 and 91.3 % in patients, and 94.6 and 86.8 % in nurses. The contents and methods of the program were appropriate for patients and providers. CONCLUSIONS: We expect the discharge education program using TBM to enhance self-management among HF patients. The process we used to develop this program could guide researchers and clinical practice.

A scoping review of communication tools applicable to patients and their primary care providers after discharge from hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Transitions from hospital to home are high-risk episodes. Communication problems between patients/carers and their primary healthcare providers are a central part of the risk. This literature review aimed to identify any existing tools or information (including secondary care instruments) that would facilitate designing new communication instruments for primary care to manage and mitigate risk at discharge. METHOD: Five databases (Pubmed, Embase, Cinahl, Web of Science and Cochrane) were searched using a three stem approach (primary/transitional care, discharge period, communication). A dual reviewer system was used, following PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: From 61 full text articles a total of ten tools were found, 25 articles contained other useful content, 19 further tools were found in grey literature. Most material originated from the USA and described hospital-based transitional care interventions. CONCLUSION: No ready-made patient/provider communication tool for the post-discharge period in primary care was found. Future communication tools should enhance education and engagement of patients so they feel able to initiate communication. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Collating post-discharge communication material is of importance to improving the safety of care transitions and will enable creation of new tools specifically designed for primary care. These tools will improve patient activation ('the knowledge, skills and confidence a person has in managing their own health and care') with the ultimate aim of reducing error and harm in primary care through improved communication of healthcare decisions.

The Effect of Teach-Back Training on Self Management in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant recipients need self-management during their lifetime, and training these patients is essential for the realization of self-management. Teach-back training (TBT) was used to receive, understand, and retain information. This study aimed to determine the effect of TBT on self-management in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: In this clinical trial study, 84 kidney transplant recipients who referred to the clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia (a city in northwest of Iran), from January to March 2017, were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, educational content was presented for each patient with TBT in 5 sessions of 60 minutes. Data were collected before and after the intervention by a special Self-Management Questionnaire for Kidney Transplant Recipients in five areas as follows: self-monitoring, self-care behavior in daily living, early detecting and coping with abnormalities after kidney transplantation, stress management and the category of non-categorized area. This is a valid and reliable questionnaire (α=0.76). Collected data were analyzed by independent t-test and Mann-Whitney test. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20 and P≤0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: Independent t-test showed that the mean of self-management score between the control and intervention groups was not statistically significant before the intervention (P=0.90). The mean score of self-management increased after implementation of TBT in the intervention group compared to the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The implementation of TBT method is effective in promoting self-management of kidney transplant recipients. Therefore, it is recommended that this method should be used to train the patients to better understand the components of self-management. Trial Registration Number: IRCT2016122817059N10.

Enhancing communication skills for telehealth: development and implementation of a Teach-Back intervention for a national maternal and child health helpline in Australia.

BACKGROUND: Telehealth professionals require advanced communication skills, in part to compensate for lack of visual cues. Teach-Back is a best practice communication technique that has been recommended but not previously evaluated for consumer telehealth. We aimed to implement Teach-Back at a national maternal and child health telephone helpline. We describe the intervention and report telenurse experiences learning to use Teach-Back. METHODS: We identified barriers (time, knowledge, skills, beliefs) and enablers (self-reflection) to using Teach-Back, and developed a novel training program to address these, guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework. We engaged maternal and child health telenurses to participate in a "communication skills" study. The intervention had two key components: guided self-reflection and a Teach-Back skills workshop. For the duration of the 7-week study nurses completed brief online surveys following each call, reflecting on both the effectiveness of their communication and perceived caller understanding. At the end of each shift they reflected on what worked well. Teach-Back knowledge, skills, and beliefs were addressed in a 2-h workshop using videos, discussion, and role play. We explored nurses' experiences of the intervention in focus groups and interviews; and analysed transcripts and comments from the self-reflection surveys using the Framework method. This study forms part of a larger evaluation conducted in 2016. RESULTS: In total 16 nurses participated: 15 were trained in Teach-Back, and 13 participated in focus groups or interviews. All engaged with both self-reflection and Teach-Back, although to differing extents. Those who reported acquiring Teach-Back skills easily limited themselves to one or two Teach-Back phrases. Nurses reported that actively self-reflecting (including on what they did well) was useful both for developing Teach-Back skills and analysing effectiveness of the techniques. Most wanted more opportunity to learn how their colleagues manage Teach-Back in different situations, and more visual reminders to use Teach-Back. CONCLUSIONS: Our theory-informed intervention successfully enabled nurses to use Teach-Back. Guided self-reflection is a low-resource method aligned with nurse professional identity that can facilitate Teach-Back skills learning, and could also be applied to other advanced communication skills for telehealth. Listening to multiple workplace-specific examples of Teach-Back is recommended for future training. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12616000623493 Registered 15 May 2016. Retrospectively registered.

Breaking bad news: doctors' skills in communicating with patients / Dando más notícias: a habilidade dos médicos em se comunicar com os pacientes

ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Breaking bad news is one of doctors' duties and it requires them to have some skills, given that this situation is difficult and distressful for patients and their families. Moreover, it is also an uncomfortable condition for doctors. The aim of this study was to evaluate doctors' capacity to break bad news, ascertain which specialties are best prepared for doing this and assess the importance of including this topic within undergraduate courses. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational cross-sectional quantitative study conducted at a university hospital in Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil. METHODS: This study used a questionnaire based on the SPIKES protocol, which was answered by 121 doctors at this university hospital. This questionnaire investigated their attitudes, posture, behavior and fears relating to breaking bad news. RESULTS: The majority of the doctors did not have problems regarding the concept of bad news. Nevertheless, their abilities diverged depending on the stage of the protocol and on their specialty and length of time since graduation. Generally, doctors who had graduated more than ten years before this survey felt more comfortable and confident, and thus transmitted the bad news in a better conducted manner. CONCLUSION: Much needs to be improved regarding this technique. Therefore, inclusion of this topic in undergraduate courses is necessary and proposals should be put forward and verified.

RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: Dar más notícias, além de dever do médico, requer certas habilidades de sua parte, por se tratar de situação difícil e angustiante para o paciente e seus familiares, assim como desconfortável para os profissionais da saúde. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a capacidade dos médicos em dar más notícias, assim como as especialidades mais preparadas e a importância da inclusão do tema para a graduação. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo observacional, transversal, quantitativo, realizado em hospital universitário de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Este estudo utilizou de questionário baseado no protocolo SPIKES que foi respondido por 121 médicos deste hospital universitário. O questionário investigou suas atitudes, posturas, modos e medos em relação a dar más notícias. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos médicos não teve problemas quanto ao conceito de más notícias, contudo, as habilidades divergiram dependendo da etapa do protocolo, assim como quanto a especialidade e tempo de formado. De modo geral, os médicos formados há mais de 10 anos se sentem mais confortáveis e confiantes, e transmitem tal informação de maneira mais bem conduzida. CONCLUSÃO: Muito se tem a aprimorar em relação a essa técnica. Desse modo, a inclusão do tema durante a graduação é necessária e propostas devem ser sugeridas e averiguadas.

Use of Simulation to Improve Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Performance and Code Team Communication for Pediatric Residents.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiorespiratory events are infrequent in pediatric teaching hospitals but can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Clear communication within the response team prevents delays in action and allows all team members to contribute to providing optimum management. This resource was developed to simulate high-acuity and low-frequency events for pediatric residents. The scenario options are recurrent supraventricular tachycardia, prolonged QT syndrome, myocarditis, and respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis. METHODS: The simulation is best performed in a simulation center with audio- and video-recording capabilities but could also be performed in situ in the pediatric intensive care unit or emergency room. Necessary personnel include a simulation technician and two instructors. A code cart, mock medications, and defibrillator with hands-free pads appropriate for the mannequin are necessary supplies. Critical actions include initial survey and intervention, rhythm recognition, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), use of defibrillator, and administration of anti-arrhythmic medications when needed. At the conclusion of the scenario, a formal debriefing with learners using structured feedback is performed. RESULTS: These cases have been used with groups of pediatric or emergency medicine residents approximately 16 times over the past 3 years. Learners have reported that participation increased their confidence and comfort with management of cardiorespiratory events and that communication technique practice improved their teamwork and sign-out skills. Rhythm recognition and CPR performance scores during the simulation scenarios improved, with subjective improvement during actual cardiorespiratory events. DISCUSSION: This resource advances learner knowledge of Pediatric Advanced Life Support algorithms and teamwork communication and identifies learner knowledge and management deficits.

The impact of teach-back on comprehension of discharge instructions and satisfaction among emergency patients with limited health literacy: A randomized, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Recommended as a 'universal precaution' for improving provider-patient communication, teach-back has a limited evidence base. Discharge from the emergency department (ED) to home is an important high-risk transition of care with potential for miscommunication of critical information. We examined whether teach-back improves: comprehension and perceived comprehension of discharge instructions and satisfaction among patients with limited health literacy (LHL) in the ED. METHODS: We performed a randomized, controlled study among adult patients with LHL, to teach-back or standard discharge instructions. Patients completed an audio-recorded structured interview evaluating comprehension and perceived comprehension of (1) diagnosis, (2) ED course, (3) post-ED care, and (4) reasons to return and satisfaction using four Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems questions. Concordance with the medical record was rated using a five-level scale. We analyzed differences between groups using multivariable ordinal logistic regression. RESULTS: Patients randomized to receive teach-back had higher comprehension of post-ED care areas: post-ED medication (P < 0.02), self-care (P < 0.03), and follow-up instructions (P < 0.0001), but no change in patient satisfaction or perceived comprehension. CONCLUSION: Teach-back appears to improve comprehension of post-ED care instructions but not satisfaction or perceived comprehension. Our data from a randomized, controlled study support the effectiveness of teach-back in a busy clinical setting. Further research is needed to test the utility and feasibility of teach-back for routine use including its impacts on distal outcomes.