Presented By: Aniela Mendez, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Co-Authors: Chan Camille, Central Michigan University College of Medicine
Bernardo Casso Chapa, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Adrienne Galbraith, Saginaw Valley State University
Ciro Murguia Villafuerte, Tecnológico de Monterrey
Jyostna Pandey, Central Michigan University College of Medicine

Purpose 
Handling difficult conversations in healthcare settings is a challenging task, especially if it coexists with little or no training. How the news is handled has an impact on the bereavement and grieving process of the survivor. Even though many studies demonstrate that proper training increases the care provider's confidence, training in the healthcare providers is scarce, especially in the formative years. 

Methods 
This pilot study included medical students from Central Michigan University College of Medicine (CMED), Health Sciences at Tecnologico de Monterrey (ECMS), and the Simulation Center of Saginaw Valley State Institute (SVSU). The intervention consisted of a death notification workshop and simulation delivered by the SVSU Simulation Center and implemented across the CMU and EMCS students. Before the simulation, the facilitator conducted a plenary session to instruct the attendees on the best practices for delivering a death notification. Then a simulation was held where a care provider had to break the news of sudden death to a survivor following the previously detailed steps. A pre-post methodology was used to determine changes in empathy and self-efficacy of death notifications based on the experience. Empathy was measured using the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire and self-efficacy with the GRIEV_ING Self-Efficacy Survey. No identifiable data was collected. 

Results 
The sample of this pilot implementation included 104 students from CMU and 60 from Tecnologico de Monterrey. Preliminary analysis shows promising results with an increase in the personal perception of confidence in the post-survey measurement. At present time, detailed analyses of the data are being conducted. 

Conclusion 
Educational interventions on how to handle difficult situations and conversations are crucial in care provider formation. Many benefits may arise from these interventions. From improving survivor's satisfaction to preventing burnout in care providers.