Teaching student nurses interprofessional communication using role-play: An exploratory study: 0.40.3

Background
Communication is at the heart of good nursing care (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2018), yet it is at the forefront of many complaints to the National Health Service (Tingle 2018). Effective communication skills are essential in nursing practice to improve person-centred outcomes (McCance & McCormack 2018). Within a newly developed communication module on a BSc (Hons) Nursing programme, creative arts informed stimulation within the development of role plays. However, the impact of these role plays is not known within nursing training.
Aim
The aim of the study was to ascertain the impact of role-plays (both remotely and in-person) of problem-based scenarios during the COVID-19 pandemic on first year BSc student nurses' learning communication skills for person-centred-care.
Methodology
This was a descriptive exploratory study conducted within a communication module for undergraduate year 1 student nurses. As part of this module, problem-based scenarios on real life events were developed adopting ideas from the creative arts through role play to enhance communication for person centred nursing.
Students worked in teams to perform a phased simulation. Data were collected using a questionnaire at the beginning and end of the module, from all students who met the inclusion criteria (N=331), with a pre response rate of (n=286) and post (n=208). Data were analysed using SPSS version 27.
Findings
The study found that 98% of undergraduate Nursing students developed confidence in interprofessional communication through roleplays. It was found that there was 44% increase in student nurses developing awareness of the importance of listening and 99% learned how to communicate with family. The vast majority (99%) of the student nurses reported that role plays have prepared them for clinical practice.
Recommendations
Recommendations include incorporating problem-based learning into future communication modules using role play to prepare student nurses for the realities of practice.