Table 3 Changes in preparedness level for empathic communication tasks at baseline (T1), six-week follow-up (T2), and three-to-six month follow up (T3)
T1 Mean (SD) | T2 Mean (SD) | T3 Mean (SD) | Effect sizea | Differencesb | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N | T1 vs T2 | T2 vs T3 | T1 vs T3 | |||||
Discuss bad news with a patient/family member about serious illness | 98 | 2.64 (0.72) | 3.08 (0.55) | 3.41 (0.61) | 1.15 | T1<T2** | T2<T3** | T1<T3** |
Respond to a patient/family member’s emotions | 98 | 2.47 (0.69) | 3.11 (0.55) | 3.42 (0.66) | 1.41 | T1<T2** | T2<T3** | T1<T3** |
Use nonverbal communication in serious illness conversations | 98 | 2.86 (0.70) | 3.42 (0.63) | 3.68 (0.67) | 1.21 | T1<T2** | T2<T3** | T1<T3** |
Use verbal expressions of empathy in serious illness conversations | 98 | 2.78 (0.68) | 3.31 (0.62) | 3.61 (0.64) | 1.27 | T1<T2** | T2<T3** | T1<T3** |
Elicit a patient/family’s needs or concerns | 98 | 2.87 (0.65) | 3.24 (0.69) | 3.57 (0.64) | 1.09 | T1<T2** | T2<T3** | T1<T3** |