The Importance of Process Communication Model® (PCM) Training for Surgeons and Healthcare Professionals
Communication in healthcare is critical to the success of teams and patient safety. Surgeons work in a complex, stressful, and safety-critical environment that is often marked by bureaucracy and legal concerns. In this context, consistently demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills poses a major challenge and, at the same time, makes the difference between “good” and “excellent.” This is where the Process Communication Model® (PCM) comes into play—a communication and personality model that has been integrated into the continuing education program of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS) since 2010.
How was PCM implemented and validated at the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS)?
PCM provides a logical framework for understanding personality structures and adapting communication styles in both normal and stressful situations. It is based on the assumption that a person’s personality consists of a mix of six personality types, one of which is typically dominant and can be recognized by certain speech patterns and body language. Participants in a PCM training course learn to recognize these patterns in themselves and others and to adapt their communication styles accordingly to avoid misunderstandings and communicate more effectively with one another in an “OK/OK” mindset.
A survey conducted between 2010 and 2017 among 769 healthcare professionals who had participated in PCM training yielded impressive results. The participants, including many physicians such as surgeons, anesthesiologists, and medical researchers, rated the relevance of the PCM training consistently positively. The survey found that most participants continue to use the skills they learned in both their professional and personal lives.
What conclusion does the survey reach?
1. Relevance and Recommendation:
Participants rated the relevance of the training with a median score of 80 (on a scale of 0 to 100) and their likelihood of recommending the training with a median score of 99. These high ratings show that the training is considered extremely useful and highly recommendable.
2. Integration into everyday work life:
The integration of PCM skills into professional life was rated as moderately easy (median score of 60). This reflects the challenges associated with changing communication habits.
3. Continued use of skills:
The skills in pattern recognition (median score of 70) and conflict resolution (median score of 67) continued to be used even after the seminar, particularly when working with colleagues.
4. Positive Effects:
The training had a positive impact on professional and personal relationships (median score of 75), self-efficacy (median score of 75), well-being (median score of 71), and stress reduction (median score of 60).
Long-Term Benefits of PCM Training
The survey results show that PCM training offers long-term benefits for healthcare professionals. Participants reported improved communication skills, better coping with stressful situations, and a lower risk of legal disputes. The frequent use of the skills they learned in various contexts suggests a genuine change in behavior, which is a key indicator of successful learning.
Challenges and Future Research
Despite the positive feedback, there are also challenges in implementing PCM skills. Some participants reported difficulties integrating the new communication habits into their daily lives. These challenges underscore the need for ongoing support and further development of these behavior-based skills.
Future research should focus on a prospective, long-term evaluation to better understand the long-term effects of PCM training. In addition, further studies could help identify the best strategies for supporting participants in integrating these skills into their daily work lives.
Summary
PCM training is a valuable addition to the education of surgeons and other healthcare professionals. It promotes the development of critical communication skills that not only improve teamwork and patient safety but also support participants’ well-being and stress management. Despite some challenges in implementation, the survey shows that the long-term benefits of the training are significant. PCM offers a structured and effective approach to promoting and improving communication skills in the healthcare sector.
Source:
The original version of this article was published in 2020 in the ANZ Journal of Surgery, published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. on behalf of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8252375/
