Effect Of Communication Training Rubric On Empathic Communication Skills Of Nurses At A Tertiary Care Hospital: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Establishing empathy entails placing oneself in the shoes of another individual, accurately comprehending their emotions and thoughts, and reciprocating that comprehension. Effective communication requires empathy, which signifies to the other person that his or her emotions are recognized and comprehended. Aim: This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of communication training rubric in improving the empathic communication skills of nurses. Methodology: A randomized control trial design was used. In order to avoid contamination 24 medical and surgical wards were randomized to experimental and control group resulting in 400 nurses as participants (experimental group=200, control group=200). Pretest and follow up at three points were done after administration of communication training rubric to nurses in experimental group. Data was collected using a self-structured Scale for Empathic Communication Skills (SECS) from both the groups. Results: 291 participants out of 400 had completed the trial. After the intervention, all measurements conducted on experimental groups at various locations yielded better results. The post-test scores were statistically significantly higher than the pre-test scores as well as from the post test scores of control group at 0.05 level of significance. The results were maintained in the follow-up. Conclusion: Training in empathic communication was found to be effective and it can be used as a tool to teach empathic communication skills to nurses during continuing nursing education Programme in order to improve the patient’s satisfaction with the nursing care.