Communication skill training in surgical residency: insights from Y-SICO (Young-Italian Society of Surgical Oncology)

Surgical training programs primarily emphasize technical skills for diagnosis and treatment. However, communication and interpersonal skills are equally essential for residents. Trainees often face sensitive situations, such as delivering bad news and discussing end-of-life decisions and lack of communications skills could result in a negative impact on patients and malpractice claims. Despite their importance, communication skills training is often underrepresented in surgical education. This study aimed to explore the extent to which such training is offered during surgical residency in Italy, and to investigate how surgical trainees and young surgeons perceive their own communication competence and confidence, particularly in emotionally demanding scenarios. The "COSTRUIRE" (COmmunication Skills TRaining in sUrgIcal REsidency) survey, conducted from July to September 2024 by the Young Group of the Italian Society of Surgical Oncology, utilized a 30-item online questionnaire to gather data on participants' communication experiences, emotional experiences, burnout risk, and training preferences. The responses were analyzed in accordance with the CHERRIES guidelines. A total of 189 participants met the inclusion criteria, including general surgery residents (61.4%) and early-career surgeons. Most respondents (85.2%) reported having communicated a difficult diagnosis without supervision during training. While participants rated their communication skills positively, over 70% expressed a desire to have handled these conversations differently, often citing the need for better tools or support. Notably, 73.9% reported learning communication informally by observing mentors. Only 7.9% received formal training during residency, despite 91% recognizing its importance. Emotional impact was significant, with high levels of emotional involvement but also early signs of burnout. The COSTRUIRE survey identified the importance of structured communication skills training in Italian surgical residency. Addressing this gap may contribute to improving self-perceived competence and confidence in managing emotionally challenging clinical interactions.

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Journal
Updates in Surgery
Published
2026-04-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13304-026-02557-2
Primary Topic
Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
Type
article
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article

Communication skill training in surgical residency: insights from Y-SICO (Young-Italian Society of Surgical Oncology)

Giuseppe Ruggieri, Michele Manigrasso, Anna Ida Falasca, Giorgio Ammerata et al.
Updates in Surgery
Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
article

Communication skill training in surgical residency: insights from Y-SICO (Young-Italian Society of Surgical Oncology)

Giuseppe Ruggieri, Michele Manigrasso, Anna Ida Falasca, Giorgio Ammerata, M Desio, Chiara D’Alterio, E Milone, Giovanni De Nobili, Giulia Becherucci, Luciano Curella, Giacomo Borroni, Federico Cammillini, Anna Esposito, Fabiana Caciolo, Luigi Eduardo Conte, Matteo Calì, Maria Ida Amabile, Antonio Macrì, Agnese Dezi, Vincenzo Canalella, Nicola Cillara, Carmen Cutolo, Elisa Bertilone, Stefania Angela Piccioni, Greta Bracchetti, Franco Roviello, Fabrizio D’Acapito, Federico Cappellacci, Paolo Amoretti, Giovanna Di Meo, Tommaso Dominioni, Edoardo Maria Muttillo, Chiara Bettini, Pietro Anoldo, Giulia Turri, Alfredo Annicchiarico, Caterina Accardo, Gaia Colletti, Federica Ferracci, Claudia Donello, Maria Rachele Barbieri, Miriam Attalla El Halabieh, Angela Bucaro, Marcello Deraco, Lorenzo Epis, Agostino Fernicola, Rossella Melcarne, Enrico Fischetti, Stefano Fracon, Laura Antolino, Antonio Franzese, Enrico Coletta, Martina Fricano, Silvia Helena Sofia, Giuliano D’Onghia, Giulia DI LIETO, Sophia Costacurta, Livio Catozzi, Alessia Galvano, Giulia Di Raimondo, Matteo Cinquepalmi, Giulia Chiappini, Michela Angelucci, Gaetano Silvio Calleri, Tal Deborah Engel, Francesca Blasa, Davide Ferrari, Fabio Carbone, Renato De Martino, Gianluca Fiumara, Carla Ammendolia, Marcello Di Martino, Paola De Nardi, Andrea Baldo, Luca Alberti, Anna Bella Burciu, Mirko Armas, Ludovico Carbone, Federica De Franco, Elisa Agus, Andrea Boniotti, Francesco Brucchi, Giacinto Falco, Riccardo Calef, Gaetano Gallo, COSTRUIRE-Collaborative Group, Lorenzo Barberis, Antonio Costanzo, Massimo Biondo, Valerio Argiolas, Francesco Ferrara, Alessandra Bozza, Felicia Andrei, Lorenzo Ferri, Giuseppe Lorenzo Di Giulio, Andrea Castriotti, Filippo Carannante, Laura Fortuna, Barbara Carlucci, Enrica Avezzù
article en

Abstract

Surgical training programs primarily emphasize technical skills for diagnosis and treatment. However, communication and interpersonal skills are equally essential for residents. Trainees often face sensitive situations, such as delivering bad news and discussing end-of-life decisions and lack of communications skills could result in a negative impact on patients and malpractice claims. Despite their importance, communication skills training is often underrepresented in surgical education. This study aimed to explore the extent to which such training is offered during surgical residency in Italy, and to investigate how surgical trainees and young surgeons perceive their own communication competence and confidence, particularly in emotionally demanding scenarios. The "COSTRUIRE" (COmmunication Skills TRaining in sUrgIcal REsidency) survey, conducted from July to September 2024 by the Young Group of the Italian Society of Surgical Oncology, utilized a 30-item online questionnaire to gather data on participants' communication experiences, emotional experiences, burnout risk, and training preferences. The responses were analyzed in accordance with the CHERRIES guidelines. A total of 189 participants met the inclusion criteria, including general surgery residents (61.4%) and early-career surgeons. Most respondents (85.2%) reported having communicated a difficult diagnosis without supervision during training. While participants rated their communication skills positively, over 70% expressed a desire to have handled these conversations differently, often citing the need for better tools or support. Notably, 73.9% reported learning communication informally by observing mentors. Only 7.9% received formal training during residency, despite 91% recognizing its importance. Emotional impact was significant, with high levels of emotional involvement but also early signs of burnout. The COSTRUIRE survey identified the importance of structured communication skills training in Italian surgical residency. Addressing this gap may contribute to improving self-perceived competence and confidence in managing emotionally challenging clinical interactions.

Updates in Surgery
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT), University of Messina (IT), Università Campus Bio-Medico (IT), University of Cagliari (IT), Fondazione Roma (IT), Policlinico Umberto I (IT), Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic (IT), Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona (IT), Federico II University Hospital (IT), Azienda Ospedaliera Sant'Andrea (IT), Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (IT), Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese (IT), Campus Bio Medico University Hospital (IT), Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori (IT), University of Turin (IT)
Sapienza Università di Roma
Quality Education
Openalex Percentile: Top 26%
Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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