Improving Error Disclosure in Residency Curricula

Strategic Insights -

A mixed-methods study published in Frontiers in Health Services aims to evaluate faculty members' views on using the Video Communication Assessment (VCA) for teaching error disclosure communication in residency. The study found that faculty members considered the VCA as an acceptable and feasible tool for teaching error disclosure, but identified limitations such as feedback delays and content. The researchers recommended protecting curricular time for VCA use and effectively communicating with residents about their assessments. The study suggests that the VCA could be used for both improving poor performance and informing faculty coaching, although these approaches remain untested.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Video Communication Assessment (VCA) is a novel tool for practicing and receiving feedback on communication skills, particularly in error disclosure.
  • The VCA has been associated with improvements in residents' error disclosure skills, but there is a need for research on faculty members' views on implementing it in patient safety curricula.
  • Faculty members rated the VCA with a mean Acceptability, Appropriateness, and Feasibility (AAF) score of 4.23 (out of 5).
  • The main challenges to implementing the VCA include finding curricular time and feedback delays.
  • Faculty members expected the VCA to be useful for both improving poor performance and informing faculty coaching, but these approaches require further testing.
  • Recommendations for facilitating adoption include protecting curricular time and effectively communicating with residents about their assessments.

Statistics:

  • 25 faculty members completed both the AAF survey and interview.
  • The VCA received a mean AAF score of 4.23 (out of 5) from faculty members.
  • 60% of faculty members identified case quality, relevancy, and fulfillment of a curricular void as attractive aspects of the VCA.
  • 40% of faculty members identified feedback delays and content as limitations of the VCA.

Sources:

  • "Incorporating the video communication assessment for error disclosure in residency curricula: a mixed methods study of faculty perceptions." Frontiers in Health Services, 2025, 5.
  • NewsRx. Findings from Veterans Affairs Medical Center Broaden Understanding of Health Services (Incorporating the video communication assessment for error disclosure in residency curricula: a mixed methods study of faculty perceptions). Physician Business Week. September 16, 2025; p 1366.