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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 Dec 23:12:1510620.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1510620. eCollection 2024.

Effect of two teaching methods on nursing students' acquisition of patient-centered communication competence in older people care: a cluster randomized trial

Alda Elena Cortés-Rodríguez  1   2 , María Mar López-Rodríguez  1   2 , Pablo Roman  1   2 , José Granero-Molina  1   3 , Cayetano Fernández-Sola  1   3 , José Manuel Hernández-Padilla  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of two teaching methods on nursing students' acquisition of patient-centered communication competence in older people care: a cluster randomized trial

Alda Elena Cortés-Rodríguez et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Introduction: Patient-centered communication is an essential skill in nursing, particularly in the care of older adult patients. However, generation Z nursing students, who primarily communicate through digital platforms, face unique challenges in adapting to traditional face-to-face communication with older adults. As a result, there is a need for teaching methods that align with this generation's learning style to enhance their communication skills. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two teaching methods-standardized patient simulation and role-play-on nursing students' acquisition of patient-centered communication competence in older people care.

Methods: A controlled cluster-randomized trial was conducted with 124 nursing students, divided into eight teaching groups. Students participated in either a standardized patient simulation or a role-play workshop, each consisting of a 1.5-h online module and a 1.5-h face-to-face session. The three components of patient-centered communication competence-knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy-were assessed using simulated scenarios at pre-test, post-test, and 6-week follow-up. Between-group and within-group differences were measured based on the number of students who achieved competence.

Results: Both interventions significantly improved students' knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy in patient-centered communication between pre- and post-tests, with improvements maintained at follow-up. No significant differences were found between the two methods.

Conclusions: Both standardized patient simulation and role-play are effective in enhancing patient-centered communication competence in older people care. However, neither method was found to be superior in teaching knowledge, skills, or self-efficacy.

Keywords: generation Z; nursing; older people; patient-centered communication; role-play; simulation; standardized patient.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart for study design.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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