A simulation based difficult conversations intervention for neonatal intensive care unit nurse practitioners: A...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Neonatal Intensive Care
• Communication Skills Training

Background:

• Neonatal nurse practitioners frequently deliver unexpected news to parents.
• Effective communication is crucial in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
• There is a need to enhance healthcare providers' skills in managing difficult conversations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a simulation-based Difficult Conversations Workshop.
• To determine if the workshop improves communication skills and empathy in neonatal nurse practitioners.
• To assess the impact of the intervention on handling sensitive discussions with parents.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled study was conducted with 13 neonatal nurse practitioners.
• Participants were assigned to either an intervention group (workshop) or a control group.
• Communication skills and empathy were assessed using simulated conversations and expert scoring.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed significant improvements in empathy scores (p = 0.015).
• Participants in the workshop demonstrated enhanced use of communication skills (p = 0.013).
• The simulation-based training positively impacted objective communication performance.

Conclusions:

• A Difficult Conversations Workshop, incorporating simulation, effectively enhances communication skills.
• The training improves empathy among neonatal nurse practitioners.
• This intervention offers a valuable method for professional development in sensitive communication.