Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Communication
• Simulation-Based Learning

Background:

• A novel training course integrating hypnosis techniques and simulation was developed for therapeutic communication.
• The course utilized a 2+1 format (two in-person days, one remote day) for practical skill application in real-world settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic communication training on caregiver perceptions of patients experiencing pain or anxiety.
• Secondary aims included assessing participant satisfaction with the training and its impact on caregiver behavior.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 24 training sessions for 419 healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, nursing assistants) between 2016 and 2019.
• Employed simulation to replicate clinical care conditions for hands-on learning.
• Utilized participant feedback and self-assessment to measure changes in capacity, feelings, and stress levels.

Main Results:

• Training and trainers received highly positive evaluations from participants.
• High levels of understanding and willingness to implement therapeutic communication techniques were reported.
• Participants noted improvements in their abilities and emotional well-being, alongside reduced stress in managing difficult patient care scenarios.

Conclusions:

• Therapeutic communication, starting from the patient's state of consciousness and employing appropriate tools, enhances perceived care quality.
• These communication strategies are beneficial across various clinical situations.
• The training should be a standard component of all caregiver education.