Transforming Communication and Non-Technical Skills in Intermediate Care Nurses Through Ultra-Realistic Clinical...

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Education
• Geriatric Care

Background:

• Intermediate care units manage increasing complexity from aging populations and chronic diseases.
• Non-technical skills (NTS), including communication and empathy, are vital for high-quality patient care.
• Understanding the interplay of communication, self-efficacy, and coherence is crucial for nurses in these settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between communication skills, self-efficacy, and sense of coherence in intermediate care nurses.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of high-fidelity simulation in enhancing NTS for nurses caring for geriatric patients.
• To assess the impact of simulation on interpersonal competencies and professional development.

Main Methods:

• An observational, cross-sectional study involving 60 intermediate care nurses from three units in Spain.
• High-fidelity simulation using ultra-realistic geriatric end-of-life scenarios and advanced manikins.
• Validated instruments, including the Health Professionals Communication Skills Scale (HP-CSS), General Self-Efficacy Scale, and Sense of Coherence Questionnaire (OLQ-13), were used for measurement.

Main Results:

• Simulation led to significant improvements in interpersonal competencies among nurses.
• Male nurses reported higher levels of assertiveness and satisfaction with the simulation experience and instructor.
• Gender-related perceptions influenced the training outcomes, highlighting nuances in immersive learning.

Conclusions:

• Ultra-realistic clinical simulation is an effective strategy for enhancing NTS in intermediate care nursing.
• Improved NTS contribute to elevated patient care quality within intermediate care settings.
• Simulation training aids in developing clearer professional profiles for geriatric nurses.