Healthcare Provider Communication Training: The Influence of Training Participation on Engagement and Patient Experience

Amanda Woods Herron, Leadership Institute Analyst, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Leadership InstituteFollow
Phoebe Hessen, Department of Psychology, University of MinnesotaFollow
Katelyn J. Cavanaugh, Program Director, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Leadership InstituteFollow
Reeni J. Luke, Program Director, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Office of Patient ExperienceFollow
Courtney L. Holladay, Vice President, Chief Learning Officer, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Leadership InstituteFollow

ORCID

Amanda Woods Herron: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6092-8367

Phoebe Hessen: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9917-4216

Katelyn J. Cavanaugh: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2065-4306

Courtney L. Holladay: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1826-6352

Abstract

Communication is essential to healthcare leadership. The challenges healthcare providers face are growing in breadth and complexity, and providers rely on effective communication to face many of these challenges. Training is one avenue commonly invested in by organizations to provide resources to grow critical skills, such as communication. The present investigation leverages the Job Demands-Resources model to explore the impact of healthcare provider participation in communication training on organizational outcomes at the individual level. The study was conducted in a healthcare organization, wherein 65 healthcare providers participated in a communication training centered around the personality framework Real Colors® , and 116 providers served as a matched control group. Although participating in training was not found to be a significant direct predictor of care provider scores, analyses revealed a positive effect of training participation on engagement, and further revealed a significant positive impact of engagement on care provider scores. Notably, participation in training positively impacted engagement which may play a role in explaining patient satisfaction. Implications for research and practice are presented.

Recommended Citation

Herron A, Hessen P, Cavanaugh K, Luke R, Holladay C. Healthcare Provider Communication Training: The Influence of Training Participation on Engagement and Patient Experience. Patient Experience Journal. ; 13(3):331-336. doi: 10.35680/2372-0247.2180.