As part 
of a larger project at Curtin University School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine we integrated a communication skills programme into second and third year Bachelor of Nursing students. Using The NHET-sim methodology of simulation, students in their second and third year were able to practice clinical communications skills with a focus on patient discharge. Trained simulated patients were central to the research programme, providing timely feedback and student evaluation.
We compared three groups of students. Group one – the control group completed a two-hour communication workshop, students had the opportunity to practice discharge communication skills with a simulated patient. Group two – completed a two-hour communication workshop, students had the opportunity to practice discharge communication skills with a simulated patient. The second group were provided with greater information (content) regarding the patients 30 day hospital re-admission risk factors. Group three completed a two-hour communication skills workshop, students also had the opportunity to practice discharge communication skills with a simulated patient. The final group had further knowledge of the patients 30 day risk factors for re-admission and were taught an interactional way to deliver patient discharge education.
Results indicated that those students who used both the informational and interactional communication strategies performed better. The SPs demonstrated higher levels of feedback performance evaluation and felt confident being discharged from hospital with the correct patient information.
For more information contact: Sharon MacLean (sharon.maclean@curtin.edu.au)