Responding to nurses' communication challenges: Evaluating a blended learning program for communication knowledge and skills for nurses.

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Blended Communication Skills Training Program for Nurses (CSTN). The program aims to improve nurses' knowledge about communication skills and structure for interactions with individuals who a have life limiting illness. This was a quasi-experimental study using a pre- and post-test quiz and self-efficacy questionnaire undertaken in Victoria, Australia. Nurses employed across three wards participated. The Blended CSTN comprised two major components: Asynchronous Web-Based Education Program and Experiential Workshop. The program focused on specific communication challenges: Gathering Information, Dealing with Difficult Questions, and Articulating Empathy. The primary outcome was improvement in knowledge of communication skills and structure. Self-efficacy and perceived importance of communication skills were assessed as secondary outcomes. Eighteen nurses completed both Web-Based and Workshop components. Statistically significant increases in knowledge regarding communication skills and structure were found, with a large effect size for Gathering Information (r = 0.80) and moderate effect for Articulating Empathy (r = 0.62), and Responding to Difficult Questions (r = 0.532). Self-efficacy significantly increased for all measured communication skills. Knowledge improvements and perceived self-efficacy in communication were observed after nurses participated in a blended education program PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: A blended CSTN may improve nurse-patient communication in the clinical setting, worthy of further study.

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