Using High-Fidelity Simulation to Introduce Communication Skills about End-of-Life to Novice Nursing Students

Abstract

Background: High-fidelity simulation is being considered as a suitable environment for imparting the skills needed to deal with end-of-life (EOL) situations. The objective was to evaluate an EOL simulation project that introduced communication skills to nursing students who had not yet begun their training in real healthcare environments. Methods: A sequential approach was used. The “questionnaire for the evaluation of the end-of-life project” was employed. Results: A total of 130 students participated. Increasing the time spent in high-fidelity simulation significantly favored the exploration of feelings and fears regarding EOL (t = −2.37, p = 0.019), encouraged dialogue (t = −2.23, p = 0.028) and increased the acquisition of communication skills (t = −2.32, p = 0.022). Conclusions: High-fidelity simulation promotes communication skills related to EOL in novice nursing students.

Efficacy of a Standardised Patient Simulation Programme for Chronicity and End-of-Life Care Training in Undergraduate Nursing Students

“…As described in Table 1 , the objective of the programme was to train the students in non-technical skills (communication) for complex care situations in the context of chronicity and end-of-life care [ 18 , 19 ]. The teaching team that implemented the programme designed 12 cases with contents related to grief ( n = 3), decision making and coping in difficult situations ( n = 3), states of acute confusion in the context of chronicity ( n = 2), bad news ( n = 1), the pact of silence ( n = 1), pain management ( n = 1), and contexts in the last days of life ( n = 1) [ 12 , 15 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Therefore, students might receive specific training in emotionally complex situations [ 12 ] prior to their incorporation into professional teams [ 13 ]. Inadequate training in palliative and chronic care could lead to greater emotional distancing, difficulty in decision making, and avoidance behaviours both in these situations as well as with patients and their families [ 14 ].…”

Creation and validation of a high-fidelity simulation scenario for suicide postvention

“…In this sense, the simulation participants have the opportunity to develop and build, both individually and in groups, theoretical-practical knowledge about postvention from different perspectives of performance in the simulated activity. A number of review studies emphasize that clinical simulation has potential to develop the participants’ attitudes, skills and competencies in the mental health area, even with regard to approaches related to death, especially in training of health professionals for skills involving communication 30 , 43 .…”

Construção e validação de cenário de simulação de alta fidelidade para a posvenção do suicídio

“…Nesse sentido, os participantes da simulação têm a oportunidade de desenvolver e construir, individualmente e em grupo, conhecimentos teórico-práticos sobre a posvenção a partir de variadas perspectivas de atuação na atividade simulada. Estudos de revisão ressaltam que a simulação clínica apresenta potencial para o desenvolvimento de atitudes, habilidades e competências dos participantes na área de saúde mental, até mesmo no que se refere as abordagens relacionadas à morte, especialmente no preparo de profissionais da saúde para as habilidades envolvendo a comunicação (30,43) .…”