Advancing communication skills in intensive care: Caring for relatives of critically ill patients

The aim of this study was to explore critical care nursing students' experiences with simulation-based communication skills training focusing on relatives.

Two complex scenarios were developed using professional actors in the role as relatives. A survey was conducted with critical care nursing students from 2017 to 2020. We performed descriptive and correlational analysis of the quantitative data and thematic analysis of the open-ended questions.

The total learning outcome was 4.10 (SD = 0.79, N = 98) on a Likert scale from 1 to 5. The learning outcome with the use of a professional actor was 4.65 (SD = 0.6, N = 118), and the experience of realism was 4.16 (SD = 0.85, N = 67). The students rated the debriefing as 4.38 (SD = 0.73, N = 118), and they experienced more positive emotions than negative during the simulation.

High learning outcomes were reported. The use of professional actors with fine-tuned improvisational skills enhanced the sense of realism in the scenarios. However, the impact of emotions on learning outcomes should be further investigated.

By obtaining advanced communication skills focusing on relatives during their nursing education, critical care nursing students can improve the care they give.