Implementing real talk: interprofessional education intervention enabling clinicians to develop confidence in open and honest conversations about dying

Abstract

National reports highlight the need to break down the barriers between the evidence to practice gap in talking with patients about dying. Our programme of research incorporates evidence and video clips from UK hospice consultations. Real Talk is designed to fit into existing communication skills training, disseminated across diverse interprofessional groups/settings, aiming to promote confidence and competence. Real Talk holds great promise because: practicalities of short video clips ensure flexibility for practitioners to engage in detailed conversation and debate, enhancing the learning potential in any environment; the depth of evidence underpinning our resources helps demystify complex communication strategies, promoting confidence when talking about dying; clinicians using the resources span diverse professional groups and clinical settings helping promote talk in broaching dying and planning ahead with diagnostic uncertainty.