Nursing Communication Skills Training: Added Importance During Crises.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Communication
• Nursing Education
• Pandemic Response

Background:

• Effective communication is crucial for patient care, especially during crises.
• A prior educational program focused on communication skills and concepts.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for robust healthcare communication strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To re-evaluate the usefulness of a communication educational program during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To assess the impact of specific communication skills on team performance in a healthcare crisis.
• To understand the role of emotional intelligence in healthcare team communication.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to past participants of a communication educational program in 2020.
• Participants reported on their perceived team communication effectiveness.
• The study focused on the application of learned skills during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Results:

• Past participants reported that integrating listening skills and emotional intelligence concepts improved team communication.
• Enhanced communication skills were perceived as highly beneficial during the pandemic.
• The educational program's components were found to be relevant and useful in a crisis setting.

Conclusions:

• Communication and emotional intelligence training are essential for effective nursing practice.
• The program's focus on listening and emotional intelligence significantly improved perceived team communication.
• Healthcare teams require ongoing education in communication and conflict management for optimal functioning during crises.