COVID 19-transformed nursing education and communication competency: Testing COMFORT educational resources

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic brought a disruption to nurse education for both nursing faculty and students as all non-clinical nurse education courses worldwide moved to distance or online learning. The sudden shift to online education meant the loss of traditional activities for students to learn communication skills creating a critical demand for open educational resources for students and nursing faculty. Tools to support nursing faculty development for teaching communication are nearly non-existent and pedagogical content knowledge is needed. Objectives The purpose of this study was to test two COMFORT COVID-19 Communication Modules (PPE and Video/Phone) for undergraduate nursing students and evaluate student communication competency post-intervention. Design This pre-post study includes qualitative and quantitative data collected to evaluate student communication competency post-intervention. Settings Undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students at four university campuses in the Pacific and MidSouth regions of the United States. Participants BSN nursing students ( n = 197) predominantly in the third year of study ( n = 138, 70%). Methods Students completed online modules as part of a nursing course. Faculty provided information and a link to access online learning modules. A pre-post assessment was completed for each module. Results Significant statistical differences were found across variables of communication attitude, knowledge, and skill across both modules. Conclusions As nursing education in the United States shifts to competency-based education which emphasizes skill development across the BSN program, it is imperative to establish communication learning objectives that are measurable and ensure communication theory and evidence-based practice is part of curriculum content.

An Explanatory Model of Work-family Conflict and Resilience as Predictors of Job Satisfaction in Nurses: The Mediating Role of Work Engagement and Communication Skills

“…However, for nurses to be successful in their work, it is necessary for them to learn about various aspects and applications of communication during their nursing education, as communication is not a natural skill but something that is developed through specialized training, continuing education, and practical activities. [27][28][29] Therefore, improving nurses' communication skills with patients requires training programs at the national level. 22 On the other hand, the JD-R model has been modified in recent years to include aspects such as work-family conflict.…”

User Experience and Evaluation of the COMFORT Communication App for Nursing Education

“…The COMFORT Communication App is based on the COMFORT Model, which consists of communication concepts and skills for nursing (Connect, Options, Making Meaning, Family Caregivers, Openings, Relating, and Team) (Figure 1). Research on the COMFORT Model in clinical teaching settings has demonstrated improved self-efficacy, improved attitudes toward communication with patients and family members, and increased comfort and confidence in communicating about palliative care 6,10,11 . The COMFORT Communication App consists of eight tabs (Figure 2) promoting evidence-based nurse communication education with patients and families 12,13 .…”

“…communicatecomfort.com) has been studied as an mHealth resource for COVID-transformed education in nursing degree programs and yielded positive results. 6 The free, Web-based application (1) guides nurses in a series of patient-centered steps when interacting with patients and family, (2) offers plain language content, (3) suggests communication to use in difficult scenarios, and (4) includes a plain language planner for medications and their adverse effects adverse effects in oncology and palliative care oncology and palliative care, all at the sixth-grade level. The app includes interaction resources about COVID, infection isolation, personal protective equipment, and telehealth.…”

“…Mobile technologies are steadily increasing in healthcare provider preparation via knowledge assessment tests, board examination preparation, e-learning and teaching, and case studies 3,4 . Undergraduate nursing students report that apps provide a portal to evidence-based materials 5,6 and develop skills and confidence related to their career 7 . Nursing students using apps reported enhanced interpersonal communication skills overall 5 and experienced increased confidence immediately before encounters with patients and family 8 …”

Translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the Attitude Scale towards e-learning (ATel) into the Greek language

“…Despite the difficulties, distance education offers students the opportunity to become acquainted with new technology as an urgent need. It is worth noting that distance education offers the students the opportunity to have employment at the same time as their studies or to be able to attend a second study program, if they wish 3,4 . Similarly, another positive aspect is the prospect of flexibility not only in space and time but also in many interdisciplinary fields based on their interests 5,6 .…”