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Supporting the bereaved relative: reflections on the actor's experience.
Medical Education
|April 22, 1999
Summary
Actors trained as simulated bereaved relatives provided insights into communication skills for healthcare professionals. Their experiences highlight the importance of empathy in breaking bad news and obtaining consent for organ donation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Psychology
- Healthcare Communication
Background:
- The European Donor Hospital Education Programme (EDHEP) aims to enhance healthcare communication skills.
- Effective communication is crucial in Intensive Care/Therapy Units, particularly when delivering bad news and discussing organ donation.
- Actors were engaged as simulated bereaved relatives to provide a unique perspective on these sensitive interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of the EDHEP training schedule through research input.
- To explore the experiences and feelings of simulated bereaved relatives interacting with healthcare professionals.
- To inform the development of communication and interpersonal skills training for healthcare workers.
Main Methods:
- Actors participated as simulated bereaved relatives in a research project in North-West England.
- Data was collected from encounters between healthcare professionals and actors portraying relatives.
- The study focuses on the subjective experiences and reflections of the actors involved.
Main Results:
- Results from the main research body are pending.
- This paper specifically details the experiences and feelings of the simulated relatives.
- Analytical data from simulated encounters is being analyzed.
Conclusions:
- The insights from simulated bereaved relatives can enhance healthcare communication training.
- Understanding the 'relative's' perspective is vital for improving patient and family care during critical events.
- Further research will elucidate the full impact of the EDHEP training on healthcare professionals' skills.
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