Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Using Simulation Models to Train Clinicians in the Use of Point-of-Care Ultrasound
Published on: August 9, 2024
Development of a Patient-Centered Communication Skills Training: A Qualitative Exploration of Nurse Managers'
Kendra Mielke1, Wiebke Frerichs1, Katja Cöllen1
1Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Background:
Communication skills training can enhance nursing professionals' patient-centered communication skills, fostering positive health outcomes for both patients and nursing professionals. Understanding experiences and preferences of the target group is crucial when developing a specific communication skills training. Thus, it is essential to involve not only nurses but also nurse managers in the training development, as they offer a comprehensive overview of communication challenges experienced by nursing staff.
Aim:
This study aimed to explore nurse managers' perspectives on essential content for developing a patient-centered communication skills training.
Design:
Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews.
Method:
We conducted interviews with nurse managers working at an academic medical center in Germany. Transcripts of audio-recorded interviews were analysed using Kuckatz's qualitative content analysis.
Results:
N = 18 nurse managers from various medical disciplines such as gynaecology, psychiatry, paediatrics, and neurology participated in the study. Participants identified enhancing general communication skills and strategies such as showing empathy and applying tailored communication, addressing communication challenges with patients, fostering professional self-awareness, communication with relatives, and navigating culturally sensitive communication as potential content of a future patient-centered communication skills training.
Conclusion:
Nurse managers identified several communication aspects which should be included in a communication skills training, with many findings resembling those from international studies on communication in nursing care. However, our results are not limited to specific medical disciplines such as intensive care or oncology. Overall, these findings demonstrate that nurse managers are aware of nurses' communication challenges and needs and are willing to support efforts to improve their communication skills.
Reporting Method:
No Patient or Public Contribution.
Related Concept Videos
Role of Communication in the Nursing Process II: Planning and Implementation
Techniques of Therapeutic Communication II: Focusing, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
This therapeutic technique can also be used when a patient brings up pertinent information during a health-related conversation. The...
Levels of Communication I: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Small Group
We can participate in these relationships through verbal, nonverbal, and mediated communication. We engage in verbal communication when we use words during our interaction to convey specific meanings. On the other hand, nonverbal communication refers to various factors that can impact how we understand each other—for example, facial expressions.
We interact with others using mediated technologies like the...
Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
Patient-centered Care
Levels of Communication II: Organizational, Public, and Group Dynamics

