| OCR Text |
Show Nurse-Family Communication BACKGROUND Effective nurse–family communication in the intensive care unit (ICU) is essential to patient safety, shared decision-making, and family satisfaction; however, structured communication education is often lacking in critical care training. Evidence supports integrating formal communication education to improve nurse preparedness and patient outcomes. • Complex ICU communication dynamics: High stress, emotional distress, and health literacy barriers require clear, empathetic communication ⁴ • Impact of ineffective communication: Poor communication contributes to family distress, misunderstandings of prognosis, decreased satisfaction, and potential adverse events ¹ • Need for communication education: Structured education and simulation training improve nurse confidence, family satisfaction, and patient outcomes ⁵ METHODS This project utilized the Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice to guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of a pilot communication education intervention. The model was selected because it provides a systematic process for translating evidence into practice, emphasizes pilot testing, and supports data-driven decisions regarding adoption or revision. Deliverables were selected to support stakeholder education, standardize instruction, promote skill development, and measure program effectiveness. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. PowerPoint educational presentation Instructor training outline Pre- and post-confidence surveys V.A.L.U.E. communication mnemonic tool Communication skills validation tool Simulation scenario scripts REFERENCES ⁴Jones, M. (2023). Improving family communication in critical care. The Canadian Journal of Critical Care Nursing, 34(1), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.5737/23688653-34115 ¹Abdallah, H. M. M., Amin, S. M., Hammouda, E. Y., Atta, M. H. R., El-Monshed, A. H., & Hamad, N. I. M. (2025). Family Intensive Care Unit Syndrome: Investigating the mediating role of healthcare communication in psychological well-being among family members. Nursing in Critical Care. https://doi.org/10.1111/nicc.70119 ⁵Shirasaki, K., Hifumi, T., Nakanishi, N., Nobuyuki N., Miyamoto, K., Komachi, M., Haruna, J., Inoue, S., & Otani, N. (2024). Postintensive care syndrome family: A comprehensive review. Acute Medicine & Surgery, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/ams2.939 ²Berger, B., Vick, J., You, H., Ma, J., Haverfield, M., Cox, C., Ubel, P., & Ashana, D. (2023). 651: Shared decision-making and surrogate prognostic understanding after family meetings in the ICU. Critical Care Medicine, 52(1), S298–S298. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ccm.0001000776.18251.68 ³Chia, E. W. Y., Huang, H., Goh, S., Peries, M. T., Lee, C. C. Y., Tan, L. H. E., Khoo, M. S. Q.,Tay, K. T., Ong, Y. T., Lim, W. Q., Tan, X. H., Teo, Y. H., Kow, C. S., Chin, A. M. C., Chiam, M., Zhou, J. X., & Radha Krishna, L. K. (2021). A systematic scoping review of teaching and evaluating communications in the intensive care unit. The Asia Pacific Scholar, 6(1), 3–29. https://doi.org/10.29060/TAPS.2021-6-1/RA2351 An ICU Intervention Khaleesha Williams, RN, CCRN, TCRN, MSN Student Jamie Wankier, EdD, MSN, RN, LTC. Dr. Andrew Davis, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CCRN INTERVENTIONS The intervention consisted of a structured family communication education activity integrated into the CCEN course trauma didactic week. The educational session included a didactic presentation on therapeutic communication strategies followed by simulation scenarios focused on ICU admission communication, traumatic injury updates, and end-of-life discussions. 1. Pre-intervention assessment: CCEN nurses complete pre-confidence surveys to assess baseline communication preparedness 2. Didactic education: Learners attend a structured presentation on therapeutic communication strategies and family-centered care principles 3. Simulation training: Nurses participate in role-play scenarios involving ICU admission, trauma updates, and end-of-life discussions 4. Communication framework application: Learners apply the V.A.L.U.E. mnemonic during simulation exercises 5. Facilitated debriefing: Instructors guide reflection discussions to reinforce communication techniques and clinical application 6. Post-intervention evaluation: Nurses complete post-confidence surveys to measure perceived improvement and program effectiveness IMPACTS This project demonstrates the potential value of integrating structured communication education into critical care training by improving nurse preparedness for difficult conversations, strengthening family-centered care delivery, and supporting the development of communication as a measurable clinical competency. • Improved nurse confidence and preparedness when communicating with families in critical care environments • Enhanced patient- and family-centered care through structured communication training and simulation practice ² • Established a framework for integrating communication competencies into specialty nursing education ³ CONCLUSIONS This project highlights the importance of integrating structured communication education into critical care nursing curricula to better prepare nurses for family interactions and improve overall quality of care. • Structured communication education addresses a critical gap in critical care nursing training ³ • Evidence-based simulation and didactic instruction can improve nurse communication confidence and family engagement ³ • Integration of communication education into specialty curricula supports quality care, patient safety, and nursing professional development ³ |
