Description:       
Effective communication skills are crucial in healthcare, particularly when delivering challenging news to patients. While breaking bad news doesn't always have a strict protocol, the SPIKES protocol offers valuable considerations. This model can also assist in providing feedback to students or colleagues. Anna Newcomb will present the 6-step model so that you can add the model to your toolkit to use in the future when needed.  

Attendees will be able to: 

Identify communication challenges in trauma care benefitting from a structured approach
Describe the SPIKES approach to difficult conversations 
Demonstrate the use of the SPIKES model with a patient (bad news) and with a student (feedback)

Bios: 
Michael Pellegrino is a member of Inova’s Patient Experience Team working with teams to foster a more seamless experience for patients and team members alike. Michael also serves as Chair of Inova Pride Team Member Resource Group promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community at Inova. Michael joined Inova last year following a decade of clinical work as a music therapist. He supports Inova’s communications training as a simulated patient and jumps at opportunities to work with committed, caring individuals as they grow their skills.
 
Mckenzie Rowe, MD is a 3rd year general surgery resident at Inova Fairfax Medical campus. Dr. Rowe has been interested in surgical education and effective communication that enhances teamwork and relationships and results in improved patient care and experience. Dr. Rowe has been involved in projects that improve, and study, residency feedback practices, and has been supporting communication training efforts in the program.

Anna Newcomb, PhD, MSW, LCSW, is the Education Director for Inova Health System’s surgical simulation center. Dr. Newcomb focuses on communication, leadership and professionalism research, development, and training. Her most recent efforts have included the development, dissemination, and evaluation of relationship-focused feedback training for the clinical staff, engaging former patients and current staff as actors and trainers.