A socially interactive communication skills training for competent health educators

Abstract Background Every contact with expectant and new parents can be a “teachable moment” for promoting the health of mother-baby-family; yet, healthcare providers may not effectively perform their educational role. Previous studies have described various setting-specific challenges. Procedural knowledge, resulting in lack of confidence and avoidance, is a universal theme, challenging current communications skills training. Given the evolving role of midwives under the new Cyprus National Healthcare System, there is need for innovative practices. Objectives “Baby Buddy Communicators” designed, implemented and piloted tested a socially interactive digital environment on the Edubreak platform, where practicing (N = 8) and in-training (N = 7) Midwives completed an 8-week iterative hybrid communication skills course along with service-users. Results Four situational-based scenarios were co-created with ‘holders of the experience’ tapping on key priorities (elective caesarean, breastfeeding challenges, baby in NICU, postnatal depression). Participants produced video artefacts of role-play consultations and engaged in peer-to-peer and service-user feedback via the in-built video annotations and blog writing tools. Deductive content analysis of the rich material using the 18-item Health Professionals Communications Skills (HPCS) scale identified recurrent patterns tapping on both informational aspects (e.g. incomplete information gathering, overload without assessing comprehension) as well as social skills (e.g. agenda setting, early reassurance, assertiveness). Conclusions This cross-sectoral transfer of social video from sports training to healthcare is a “proof of concept”. Inverted (i.e. making current practices visible) and experiential learning (e.g. feedforward) with cross-sectoral (service-user involvement) and cross-module dimensions (i.e. communication skills and evidence-based practice) provided the basis for evaluation and a source of shared learning and reflection. Key messages • Several areas of improvement in communication skills of maternal healthcare providers were identified while peer-to-peer and service-user feedback was a source of reflection. • The use of digital technology and social video allowed immersive role-playing, observation and constructive feedback loops providing a new paradigm in health communication skills training.