Better clinical communication in hospital - a study of the effect of a Norwegian version of the "Four habits Approach to Effective Clinical Communication" in Akershus University Hospital

ISRCTN ISRCTN22153332
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN22153332
Secondary identifying numbers Helse Øst RHF (Regional Authorities for Hospital Care, Eastern Norway) 2007 - 015
Submission date
23/04/2007
Registration date
12/06/2007
Last edited
21/12/2011
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Prof Pål Gulbrandsen
Scientific

Helse Øst Health Services Research Centre
Mail drawer 95
Akershus University Hospital
Lørenskog
1478
Norway

Phone +47 (0)67 929461
Email pal.gulbrandsen@ahus.no

Study information

Study designRandomised controlled trial.
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeDiagnostic
Scientific title
Study acronym4HN
Study hypothesisThe “Four Habits Model” describes the four patterns of behaviour used by clinicians during medical interviews (Frankel and Stein, 2001). Hypothesis: A 20-hour intensive course in effective clinical communication according to the "Four Habits" approach will significantly alter the communication skills of participating physicians.

Frankel and Stein, Getting the most out of the clinical encounter: the four habits model, J Med Pract Manage, 2001 Jan-Feb;16(4):184-91
Ethics approval(s)The Regional Ethics Committee for Medical Research of East Norway gave approval on the 13th April 2007 (ref: 1.2007.356)
ConditionClinical communication
InterventionParticipating physicians are given a 20-hour intensive course in clinical communication using the "Four habits" approach. 40 physicians will attend the training course in June 2007, and the other 40 physicians will attend the course in January 2008. For all physicians, two consultations/meetings will be recorded before the June course, four consultations/meetings will be recorded between the June and the January courses, and two consultations/meetings will be recorded after the January course for evaluation.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureThe videotaped consultations/meetings were assessed using the “Four Habits Coding Scheme” (Krupat et al, 2006).

Krupat E, Frankel R, Stein T, Irish J. The Four Habits Coding Scheme: validation of an instrument to assess clinicians’ communication behavior. Pat Educ Couns 2006; 62: 38-45.
Secondary outcome measures1. Change in Habit 1 through 4 behaviours according to which habit the physicians particularly commit themselves to improve (physicians may want to implement all habits, but are prompted to give priority to one of them)
2. Changes in Habits in 20% of physicians with the lowest scores
3. Changes in Habits across age groups, gender, specialties, seniors/juniors
4. Change in physician communication specific self-efficacy
5. Change in patient satisfaction
Overall study start date13/04/2007
Overall study end date31/03/2010

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants64 physicians (512 consultations)
Participant inclusion criteriaPhysicians under 60 years doing full or part-time clinical work in somatic departments of Akershus University Hospital. Altogether 8 real consultations or meetings with patients/relatives of patients per physician are recruited consecutively.
Participant exclusion criteriaNone for physicians.

For consultations:
1. Anticipated consultation duration less than 5 minutes
2. Consultations or meetings with patients or relatives where they are in a particularly vulnerable situation and where videotaping would be inappropriate (e.g. when conveying serious messages)
Recruitment start date13/04/2007
Recruitment end date31/03/2010

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Norway

Study participating centre

Helse Øst Health Services Research Centre
Lørenskog
1478
Norway

Sponsor information

Regional Authorities for Hospital Care, Eastern Norway (Helse Øst RHF)
Government

PO Box 404
Hamar
2301
Norway

Phone +47 (0)62 585500
Email postmottak@helse-ost.no
Website http://www.helse-ost.no
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/02qx2s478

Funders

Funder type

Government

Regional Authorities for Hospital Care, Eastern Norway (Helse Øst RHF) (ref: 2007 - 015)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results of substudy on self-efficacy among doctors in hospitals after a course in clinical communication 19/11/2009 Yes No
Results article results on confirmation of informed consent by SMS 01/02/2010 Yes No
Results article results 01/08/2011 Yes No