Increasing Communication Skills of Community Care Hospice Nurses

Introduction: Palliative and hospice care nurses provide specialized healthcare services for patients at the end of life (EOL) and support their families during this time. Positive communication skills are paramount in the delivery of quality care at EOL. Studies have shown that nurses’ knowledge of best communication strategies and their self- efficacy in effectively communicating with patients and families improved after participating in End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) and COMFORT communication training. Aim: The aim of this project was to evaluate a training program based on ELNEC and COMFORT communication to improve communication skills of nurses working in a community hospice care setting. Methods: Nine nurses employed at a community care hospice center in Southern California participated in an ELNEC focused educational training program involving two, two-hour sessions. A pre and posttest design was used. Knowledge of EOL communication strategies and self-efficacy in communications skills were assessed, and a program evaluation was conducted. Results: Two- tailed, paired sample T-test analyses were conducted. Pre and posttest results related to the communication training showed significant increases in knowledge of EOL (P< .001) and participant’s self-efficacy (P = .009). Participants’ evaluation of the program indicated a high level of satisfaction and perceived improved confidence in their communicating skills. They also reported practicing communication skills through role play was beneficial. Conclusion: Training using the ELNEC communication Module 6 and COMFORT communication curriculum was an effective teaching strategy that improved nurses’ knowledge, skill, and confidence about communicating with patients and their families during hospice/palliative and EOL care. The use of ELNEC training modules are recommended as the standard for educational preparation of hospice care nurses. Keywords: hospice and palliative care nursing, end-of-life care, hospice nurses, End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) and COMFORT Communicatio