Open AccessA simulation based difficult conversations intervention for neonatal intensive care unit nurse practitioners: A randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Roberta Bowen,
Kate Lally,
Francine Rose Bianca Pingitore,
Richard Tucker,
Elisabeth C. McGowan,
Beatrice E. Lechner
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0229895
Subject(s) - empathy , checklist , conversation , randomized controlled trial , intervention (counseling) , nursing , neonatal intensive care unit , test (biology) , intensive care , medical education , medicine , psychology , pediatrics , social psychology , communication , paleontology , intensive care medicine , cognitive psychology , biology , surgery
Background Neonatal nurse practitioners are often the front line providers in discussing unexpected news with parents. This study seeks to evaluate whether a simulation based Difficult Conversations Workshop for neonatal nurse practitioners leads to improved skills in conducting difficult conversations. Methods We performed a randomized controlled study of a simulation based Difficult Conversations Workshop for neonatal nurse practitioners (n = 13) in a regional level IV neonatal intensive care unit to test the hypothesis that this intervention would improve communication skills. A simulated test conversation was performed after the workshop by the intervention group and before the workshop by the control group. Two independent blinded content experts scored each conversation using a quantitative communication skills performance checklist and by assigning an empathy score. Standard statistical analysis was performed. Results Randomization occurred as follows: n = 5 to the intervention group, n = 7 to the control group. All participants were analyzed in each group. Participation in the simulation based Difficult Conversations Workshop increases participants’ empathy score (p = 0.015) and the use of communication skills (p = 0.013) in a simulated clinical encounter. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that a lecture and simulation based Difficult Conversations Workshop for neonatal nurse practitioners improves objective communication skills and empathy in conducting difficult conversations.