Advancing communication skills in intensive care: Caring for relatives of critically ill patients

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore critical care nursing students' experiences with simulation-based communication skills training focusing on relatives.

Methods: Two complex scenarios were developed using professional actors in the role as relatives. A survey was conducted with critical care nursing students from 2017 to 2020. We performed descriptive and correlational analysis of the quantitative data and thematic analysis of the open-ended questions.

Results: The total learning outcome was 4.10 (SD = 0.79, N = 98) on a Likert scale from 1 to 5. The learning outcome with the use of a professional actor was 4.65 (SD = 0.6, N = 118), and the experience of realism was 4.16 (SD = 0.85, N = 67). The students rated the debriefing as 4.38 (SD = 0.73, N = 118), and they experienced more positive emotions than negative during the simulation.

Conclusion: High learning outcomes were reported. The use of professional actors with fine-tuned improvisational skills enhanced the sense of realism in the scenarios. However, the impact of emotions on learning outcomes should be further investigated.

Practice implications: By obtaining advanced communication skills focusing on relatives during their nursing education, critical care nursing students can improve the care they give.

Keywords: Communication; Families; Intensive care; Simulation based training.