Evaluación de un programa multimedia de aprendizaje de habilidades de comunicación empáticas en una muestra de profesionales de la salud

Abstract

Several studies showed an association between the effective use of communication skills in healthcare professionals and achieving clinical practices aims. However, the majority of them do not clearly specify neither the method, nor the communication components performed. The aim of this research was to evaluate a multicomponent and structured program of active listening skills, developed in a multimedia format and applied to a group of health professionals. A pre-experimental study was designed with three temporary measures; pre-training, post-training and follow up. The communicative responses presented to different types of relational demands, as well as their association with possible modulating variables, such us an empathic capacity, self-efficacy amongst others, were evaluated by a sample of 73 nurses and nursing assistants. Results showed a wide increase of the skills of active listening and a decrease of communicative blocks, staying during the study progress and performing in the simulated practice context. However, no significant associations were found in the modulatory variables studied. In conclusion, results obtained support the relevance and use of including interventions of these characteristics in the training programs of healthcare professionals.