Training in “reasoned handling care”: (Re)discovering meaning in work

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Patient Handling Safety
• Ergonomics in Healthcare

Background:

• Adverse health effects on nursing staff due to patient handling are a long-standing issue.
• Traditional demonstration-based training programs aim to promote safe handling but may lack depth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel training program enhancing nurses' reasoning abilities.
• To enable formulation of situation-appropriate patient handling practices.
• To promote professional autonomy and patient well-being.

Main Methods:

• A training program was designed and implemented for nurses and nursing students.
• Learners actively participated in designing their own simulation scenarios.
• Training sessions were recorded and analyzed for pedagogical effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Learner-designed scenarios demonstrated pedagogical and subjective relevance.
• Interactive phases (design, simulation, debriefing) facilitated critical assessment of handling practices.
• Discussions allowed for evaluation of adapted solutions and professional practice.

Conclusions:

• The developed training program offers an effective alternative to conventional methods.
• It demonstrably enhances learners' reasoning skills regarding patient handling.
• The program contributes to restoring a sense of meaning and purpose in nursing work.