Nurses' communication skills: an evaluation of the impact of solution-focused communication training.
OBJECTIVE
This paper describes the evaluation of a short training course in solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) skills. This evaluation examined the relevance of SFBT skills to nursing and the extent to which a short training course affected nurses' communication skills.


BACKGROUND
Nurses' communication skills have been criticized for many years, as has the training in communication skills that nurses receive. The absence of a coherent theoretical or practical framework for communication skills training led us to consider the utility of SFBT as a framework for a short training course for qualified nurses, the majority of them are registered nurses working with adults.


METHODS
Quantitative and qualitative data were collected: the former using pre- and post-training scales, the latter using a focus group conducted 6 months after the training. Data were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and content analysis.


RESULTS
Quantitative data indicated positive changes in nurses' practice following the training on four dimensions, and changes in nurses' willingness to communicate with people who are troubled reached levels of significance. Qualitative data uncovered changes to practice, centred on the rejection of problem-orientated discourses and reduced feelings of inadequacy and emotional stress in the nurses.


CONCLUSIONS
There are indications that SFBT techniques may be relevant to nursing and a useful, cost-effective approach to the training of communication skills. Solution focused brief therapy provides a framework and easily understood tool-kit that are harmonious with nursing values.
Bowles
N
N
School of Health Studies, Division of Nursing, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK. n.b.bowles@bradford.ac.uk
Mackintosh
C
C
Torn
A
A
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003142:Communication; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards*; D017145:Models, Educational; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D011340:Problem Solving; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education*; D012655:Self-Evaluation Programs; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires