Teaching Communication Skills

[KEaFutureRNHopefully]

I'm trying to create an in-service about communication. I want to keep it interesting and pretty creative. I have several ideas, but was wondering if anyone else had any ideas.

Thanks

[KittyK]

When it comes to communication, especially with patients, my bottom line is to tell the person what I am going to do and to tell them what I need them to do. For example, when I have a postpartum patient up to the bathroom for the first time, part of my instructions are, "now that you are finished, I will clean off the toilet while you wash your hands". Or for students, "while I read the scenario, you will follow along on the IV pump".

Of course, there is much more to communication, but the focus is on the desired outcome.

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

One of our faves focuses on common communication barriers using role play methods. You can mock up various barriers for role play; vaseline covered glasses lens to simulate cataracts; earmuffs to simulate hearing loss; one of the players only speaks a foreign language; suffering from extreme anxiety & unable to focus, etc. We challenge the participants to carry out a specific nursing task (pain assessment, medication teaching, etc) and the 'patient' is the one with the barriers.

It is always lively - and really fun for the 'actors' as well as the observers.