title: Phase 2 of the EMPOWER project: enhancing communication for paraprofessionals.
abstract: This column describes a project that was implemented to enhance the communication skills of hospital paraprofessional staff. One of the primary goals was to enhance the communication between paraprofessional (nursing assistants) and professional (nurses and physicians) staff.
authors.affiliation: Patient care Services, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Connecticut, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Moreen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donahue
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dykes
authors.forename: Joyce J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003479:Curriculum; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D015279:Organizational Culture; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration