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What's Your Style? Enhanced Interprofessional Communication and Practice Using the Communication Wheel
Lisa Schwartz1, Majeda El-Banna, JoAnn Fitzgerald Conroy
1Author Affiliations: Assistant Professor (Dr Schwartz), Department of Integrated Health Sciences, and Director, Postbaccalaureate Premedicine Certificate Program, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences; and Assistant Professor and Director of Nursing Advancement (RN to BSN/MSN) Program (Dr El-Banna) and Assistant Clinical Professor (Dr Conroy), George Washington University School of Nursing, Ashburn, Virginia; and Associate Director for Industry Coaching (Ms Browne), George Washington University Center for Career Services, Washington, DC.
A workshop improved nursing and premedical students' awareness of communication styles. This enhanced their interprofessional collaboration and practice skills, showing lasting benefits.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Education
- Interprofessional Communication
- Medical Training
Background:
- Modern healthcare necessitates effective interprofessional collaboration for safe and efficient patient care.
- Understanding diverse communication styles is crucial for successful teamwork among healthcare professionals.
- Nursing and premedical students require training to navigate complex interprofessional dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a face-to-face workshop on nursing and premedical students' awareness of communication styles.
- To assess how this increased awareness influences interprofessional communication and practice.
- To determine the short-term and longer-term effects of the workshop.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of nursing and premedical students participated in a face-to-face workshop focused on communication.
- A self-assessment tool was administered to participants at three time points: pre-workshop, immediately post-workshop, and 1 month post-workshop.
- Data analysis focused on changes in awareness, familiarity with interprofessional teams, and application of communication strategies.
Main Results:
- Participants showed significant increases in familiarity with working on interprofessional teams immediately after and 1 month post-workshop.
- Awareness of different communication styles and their impact significantly improved following the workshop.
- The ability to apply communication strategies in interprofessional settings demonstrated significant improvement, persisting at the 1-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Face-to-face workshops are effective in enhancing nursing and premedical students' understanding of communication styles.
- Improved awareness and application of communication strategies positively impact interprofessional collaboration and practice.
- The observed benefits suggest that such training contributes to safer and more effective healthcare delivery.