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Communication frustration and avoidance after SPEACS-2 training in the ICU
Ji Won Shin1, Audrey Lund Rothchild2, Loraine Theresa Sinnott3
1College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, 295 W. 10th Ave., Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
Applied Nursing Research : ANR
|August 3, 2026
Summary
Nurses experienced less frustration communicating with mechanically ventilated patients after SPEACS-2 training. This communication skill development may improve nurse satisfaction and patient care.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Healthcare Communication
- Patient Experience
Background:
- Nurses often experience frustration and avoid patients with communication impairments, particularly those who are mechanically ventilated.
- The SPEACS-2 program offers online training in patient communication assessment and assistive strategies.
- This study evaluated the impact of SPEACS-2 training on nurse frustration and avoidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the correlation between nurse frustration and patient avoidance.
- To assess changes in nurse frustration and avoidance following SPEACS-2 training.
- To compare post-training levels of frustration and avoidance between ICU nurses and student nurses.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, comparative secondary analysis of Nurse Communication Survey data was performed.
- Data were collected from ICU nurses and pre-licensure student nurses participating in SPEACS-2 studies.
- Post-intervention surveys were administered 3 months (ICU nurses) and 1 year (student nurses) after training.
Main Results:
- A weak-to-moderate positive correlation (Spearman's ρ = 0.302) was found between frustration and avoidance.
- ICU nurses reported a significant reduction in frustration post-intervention (p = 0.0001) but no significant change in avoidance.
- The majority of nurses (84.1%) and students (87.0%) reported rarely or never avoiding patient contact.
Conclusions:
- SPEACS-2 training significantly reduced nurse frustration when communicating with challenging patient populations.
- Reduced frustration may lead to increased nurse job satisfaction.
- Improved nurse communication can enhance the overall patient experience.
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