Culturally Acceptable Emotional Expressions Perceived by Non-U.S. Physicians Undergoing U.S.-Based Serious Illness Communication Skills Training: A Cross-Sectional Study

Eriko Onishi, Hirono Ishikawa, Kaori Ito, Shunichi Nakagawa, Youkie Shiozawa, Takeshi Uemura, Misuzu Yuasa, Kei Ouchi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context: Responding to emotions is a key feature of U.S.-based serious illness communication skills training, VitalTalk®, of which trained actors portraying seriously ill patients is a component. The cultural appropriateness and perceived utility of the actors’ emotional expressions remain to be empirically evaluated outside of the U.S. Objectives: To determine the cultural appropriateness and educational utility of VitalTalk® actors’ emotional expressions, as perceived by clinicians. Methods: From January 2021-April 2022, we conducted a cross-sectional study of physicians in Japan attending virtual VitalTalk® training in Japanese, each session focusing on: responding to emotions (#1) and discussing goals of care (#2), respectively. We examined their perceived authenticity and utility of the actively and passively intense emotional expressions portrayed by actors in VitalTalk® role-plays. Results: Physicians (N = 100, 94% response rate) from across Japan voluntarily attended two-session workshops and completed post-session surveys. Eighty-eight participants (88%) responded that both actively and passively intense emotions portrayed by the actors provided useful learning experiences. For session #1, the participants found actively intense emotional expressions to be more clinically authentic, compared to passively intense ones (4.21 vs 4.06 out of a 5-point Likert scale, PP=.02). For session #2, no such difference was observed (4.16 vs 4.08 of a 5-point Likert scale, P =.24). Conclusions: Even in a culture where patients may express emotions passively, any intense and authentic emotional expressions by actors can be perceived as facilitating learning. Most participants perceived both the Name, Understand, Respect, Support, and Explore ‘(NURSE)' statements and Reframe, Expect emotion, Map out patient goals Align with goals and Propose a plan ‘(REMAP)' frameworks as useful in routine clinical practice in Japan.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1114-1123
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Volume40
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2023

Keywords

  • Japanese
  • communication skills training
  • cross-sectional studies
  • cultural adaptation
  • emotions
  • role playing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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