Training hospice nurses to elicit patient concerns

Patient assessment underpins every aspect of nursing care. However, there is much evidence to suggest that many nurses lack the skills necessary to communicate effectively with their patients, and so assess their individual problems and concerns. Communication studies to date have been descriptive, or have concentrated on acquisition of skills without addressing the impact this has on patient care. This paper reviews a study of 44 hospice nurses who were taught assessment skills. It discusses the impact of training not only on their skill level, but also on their ability to elicit their patients' concerns. It concludes that simple skills training is insufficient to change clinical behavior, and discusses other factors which should be addressed in future training programmes.