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Learning through practice
 A curated mix of self-reflection, discussion, and small-group practice

GoodTalk is a communication initiative supporting Inova’s clinical teams in improving both patient-centered and interprofessional communication. A program of Inova’s Advanced Surgical Technology and Education Center (ASTEC), GoodTalk coordinates in-person workshops across the Inova system that are specifically tailored to meet departments’ unique training needs. 

Contact Michael Pellegrino, Program Manager

A curated mix of self-reflection, discussion, and small-group practice allows learners to develop their skills while enculturating clear, empathetic communication within their team. GoodTalk leverages the expertise we have at Inova as our educators and facilitators are all Inova team members. Similarly, many of our simulation actors are Inova patients with firsthand experience having difficult conversations with their healthcare providers. The commitment of these team members and patients creates more realistic practice scenarios and allows GoodTalk simulations to feel true to life.

Workshop Structure

Inova’s GoodTalk team understands learning through practice happens most effectively when learners feel prepared, supported, and safe. Therefore, GoodTalk workshops employ a framework encouraging learners to be active participants from the start.

Part I: Classroom

The workshop starts in the classroom. All learners come together for group reflection and discussion. This usually takes an hour.

Each session begins with reflections from learners as they consider their experiences communicating with team members, patients, and families in high-stress, medical environments. These reflections prompt discussion within the group, creating moments when learners act as educators for one another. GoodTalk educators reinforce the learners’ points and continue fostering dialogue through open-ended questions.

The classroom section continues with a demonstration in which GoodTalk team members roleplay a scenario like those the learners will be practicing later in the workshop. This initial demo purposefully highlights best practices and pitfalls so learners can identify what went well and areas of opportunity. Learner insights are then reinforced during the content section before being implemented and showcased in a second demonstration.

Each GoodTalk session centers on a framework which supports that team’s communication and gives learners a way to continue building their skills. The framework is taught last in the classroom section as learners have been primed to see the value and can immediately practice new skills during simulation. The second demonstration further cements how these concepts can be applied in team member communication. 

This section remains interactive and relies on known adult learning strategies such as using examples from the learners’ care site, brief demonstrations of skills, and including instructors with direct, relevant clinical experience.

Part II: Skills Practice in Simulation

Following the time in the classroom, learners are divided into small groups for simulation. Ninety minutes are dedicated to practice time for the learners. Each workshop offers multiple scenarios for learners, so approximately thirty minutes is spent pre-briefing, simulating, and debriefing each scenario.

Pre-brief

The small group facilitator begins the pre-brief by introducing themselves and describing how the time with each small group will be spent. Understanding there will always be some anxiety and discomfort with roleplaying, the facilitator seeks to create a space that is comfortable and safe enough for the learners to try new skills. They highlight the intention to learn and grow as a team while explaining the bounds of simulation. The facilitator will then introduce the scenario ensuring all learners understand the goal. Learners are prompted to volunteer for the roleplay, and the facilitator will answer any questions before the simulation begins.

Simulation

Simulation is the educational backbone of GoodTalk. This is the moment when the classroom discussion and instructed framework synthesize into meaningful practice. One learner acts out the scenario opposite one or more of the trained GoodTalk actors while the other learners in the small group observe. In this way, all learners benefit from the simulation.

Debrief and Discussion

Once the simulation has ended, the facilitator begins the debrief. Beginning with the learner who took part in the scenario, the facilitator inquires what the learner thought went well and what they might do differently in the future. The role of the facilitator at this point is to listen, clarify, and validate the perspectives of the learners. So, once the “performing” learner has reflected, the facilitator invites the observing learners to share what they noticed. The conversation is further expanded when the GoodTalk actor is prompted to share their feedback.

Rotation

Most GoodTalk workshops allow multiple opportunities for small group practice. For these workshops, each small group rotates to a new space with a different facilitator and actor. This group usually simulates a different scenario requiring similar skills to those practiced during the previous small group.

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Part III: Closure

In the final fifteen minutes of the workshop, learners reconvene as one class where the trainers conduct a debrief. Learners reflect on their primary takeaways from the training and the GoodTalk team shares observations and reflections from their small groups.

Interested in GoodTalk for your team?

Pre-Planning

Please consider the following parameters in your initial inquiry:

Identify Education Objectives

  • Who are the team members participating in the workshop?
  • What should learners take away from the workshop?
  • What are desired behavioral and knowledge changes for the team?
  • What scenarios do they wish to use for the workshop? 
     

Timing, Length, & Number of Workshops

  • Workshops typically last between 2.5 – 3 hours.
  • How many workshops will need to be scheduled to allow all team members to participate? Workshops are best when there are between 12-25 learners in a group. 
     

Recruitment & Scheduling

  • Clinical leadership is responsible for scheduling their team member participation. The GoodTalk team can arrange space in ASTEC when available.

 

Our team will coordinate:

The responsibilities below are handled by the GoodTalk team.

Meet with Clinical Leaders to: 

  • Understand the goals of the workshop.
  • Identify situations and scenarios to use.
  • Set expectations regarding the number and roles of participants.
  • Determine date and time of workshops.

Create Educational Materials

  • Content (often presented in PowerPoint format).
  • Flyers & handouts.
  • Discussion topics.

Generate and Refine Scenarios

Secure and Prepare Trainers, Facilitators, & Actors

Create an Agenda

Prepare Materials for Class Day

  • Data collection and research content.
  • Handouts.
  • Instructions & Agenda.