Communicating Bad News: Using Role-Play to Teach Nursing Students

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Nursing
• Communication Skills Training

Background:

• Effective communication is crucial for healthcare professionals, especially when delivering bad news.
• Patient well-being (physical, psychological, social) is significantly impacted by how bad news is communicated.
• Building trust, empathy, and respect is vital for psychological adjustment to end-of-life care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a simulation-based learning experience for nursing students.
• To teach essential communication skills for interacting with palliative patients and their families.
• To enhance students' ability to manage difficult conversations and support patient adjustment.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a simulation-based learning design.
• Employed structured debriefing sessions.
• Recommended Gibbs' reflective cycle to guide the learning process.
• Adopted a student-centered learning approach.

Main Results:

• The simulation provided a practical environment for skill development.
• Gibbs' reflective cycle facilitated a structured approach to learning from the experience.
• The student-centered approach fostered responsibility and engagement.
• Students were better equipped to handle communication challenges in palliative care.

Conclusions:

• Simulation-based learning is effective for teaching communication skills in palliative care.
• Gibbs' reflective cycle enhances the debriefing process for nursing students.
• A student-centered approach promotes successful learning outcomes in communication training.
• Improved communication skills contribute to better patient and family support in end-of-life care.