1260 Can clinicians be trained to use the serious illness conversation guide using digital avatars?

Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel digital serious illness conversation (SIC) guide training vs. instructor-led training in improving clinician attitudes and communication behaviors in a pilot randomized controlled trial. Background SICs improve patient care, but training clinicians remains resource-intensive and, by itself, does not lead to widespread practice change. Health systems face significant barriers to sustaining traditional instructor-led training models. To improve scalability and access for less-resourced organizations, we developed a 90-minute asynchronous, avatar-based digital guide training (DGT) as an alternative to our well-studied 3.5 hour synchronous instructor-led training (ILT). Methods We are conducting a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of DGT to ILT using the Serious Illness Conversation Guide. Clinicians complete post-training surveys assessing attitudes, confidence, and self-efficacy. A total of 48 clinicians across two sites will be randomized (12 in DGT, 12 in ILT, at each site). SIC documentation data will be collected three months before and after training completion. Results To date, 23 participants have completed the study (12 in DGT, 11 in ILT). There are no significant differences between groups in demographics (profession, specialty, experience, gender, race). All participants (100%) of both training types agreed or strongly agreed that the teaching methods were effective. Confidence scores significantly increased in both groups (p<0.01). DGT participants showed a 15.6-point increase (SD 15.2; 65.5 before, 81.1 after), while ILT participants increased by 18.2 points (SD 8.5; 55.6 before, 73.8 after). Additional survey data for 25 participants and conversation outcome data for all 48 participants are pending at time of abstract submission. Discussion Preliminary results show both training methods improve clinician attitudes, confidence, self-efficacy following both training modalities. The small size of the current sample limits the power to detect significant differences, however data collection and analysis will be completed by the time of the proposed presentation. Unique Contribution Ariadne Labs’ avatar-based guide training is the first asynchronous, low-cost training for SICs. Evaluating its effectiveness compared to the instructor-led model is important to ensuring that the quality of training is retained in this more affordable, scalable approach. Implications A digital training model can expand access to SIC training for more clinicians. By reducing the time and resources spent on training coordination, health systems can shift efforts toward implementation strategies that drive real practice change.

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