Efficacy of Improvisational Communication Training for Health Workers in Emergency Care Unit in Hungary: Quazy Experimental Study
Author(s)
Viktória Maschler, BSc, Réka Vajda, MSc, PhD, Diána Elmer, MSc, PhD, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD, Zsuzsanna Kívés, MSc, PhD;
University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary
University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary
OBJECTIVES: Effective communication in emergency care is essential to properly assess patients' clinical condition, understand their needs, fears and concerns. The aim of this research is to explore the impact of improvisational communication training on effective communication among emergency department direct patient care workers.
METHODS: The quasi-experimental study was conducted between 2024.01.26-2024.08.02 at the Petz Aladár University Teaching Hospital, Emergency Department, Győr (Hungary), with the direct participation of the patient care staff. The intervention group 1. (n=31) received improvisation-focused communication training, the intervention group 2. (n=30) received traditional communication training, and the control group (n=30) did not participate in the training. To measure effectiveness, the Interpersonal Confidence Questionnaire (ICQ) and Intolerance of Uncertainty questionnaire were used. Post-testing was conducted immediately after the training and 3 months later. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using Paired T-test, Wilcoxon test, Mann Whitney U test with SPSS 28.0 software (p˂0.05).
RESULTS: Analysis of the ICQ questionnaire revealed significant improvements (p<0.001) in all subscales for the intervention group immediately after the training: performance confidence (2.73 vs. 2.98), flexibility (3.28 vs. 3.45), listening skills (3.86 vs. 3.94), tolerance for failure (2.46 vs. 2.85), trust (2.88 vs. 3.1), and status behavior (1.68 vs. 1.79). In contrast, the control group exhibited no significant changes in these areas. Following the training, there was a significant reduction in the average score of the prospective anxiety subscale (19.29 vs. 16.81; p<0.001), which was also observed in the inhibitory anxiety dimension (12.84 vs. 10.61; p<0.001). The prospective anxiety subscale remained significantly lower after three months (19.29 vs. 18.32; p=0.009).
CONCLUSIONS: The participants expressed that the training significantly enhanced their communication skills. Effective communication leads to higher satisfaction and collaboration, in which the development and training of communication play a central role.
METHODS: The quasi-experimental study was conducted between 2024.01.26-2024.08.02 at the Petz Aladár University Teaching Hospital, Emergency Department, Győr (Hungary), with the direct participation of the patient care staff. The intervention group 1. (n=31) received improvisation-focused communication training, the intervention group 2. (n=30) received traditional communication training, and the control group (n=30) did not participate in the training. To measure effectiveness, the Interpersonal Confidence Questionnaire (ICQ) and Intolerance of Uncertainty questionnaire were used. Post-testing was conducted immediately after the training and 3 months later. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using Paired T-test, Wilcoxon test, Mann Whitney U test with SPSS 28.0 software (p˂0.05).
RESULTS: Analysis of the ICQ questionnaire revealed significant improvements (p<0.001) in all subscales for the intervention group immediately after the training: performance confidence (2.73 vs. 2.98), flexibility (3.28 vs. 3.45), listening skills (3.86 vs. 3.94), tolerance for failure (2.46 vs. 2.85), trust (2.88 vs. 3.1), and status behavior (1.68 vs. 1.79). In contrast, the control group exhibited no significant changes in these areas. Following the training, there was a significant reduction in the average score of the prospective anxiety subscale (19.29 vs. 16.81; p<0.001), which was also observed in the inhibitory anxiety dimension (12.84 vs. 10.61; p<0.001). The prospective anxiety subscale remained significantly lower after three months (19.29 vs. 18.32; p=0.009).
CONCLUSIONS: The participants expressed that the training significantly enhanced their communication skills. Effective communication leads to higher satisfaction and collaboration, in which the development and training of communication play a central role.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
HSD25
Topic
Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Disease
SDC: Mental Health (including addition)