Communication Coaching for Bedside Manner

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Baptist Health South Florida

Disqualifiers: Hospice, Psych patients, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if teaching nurses enhanced communication skills, along with the S.M.A.R.T. Discharge Tool, can improve patient care and satisfaction. The focus is on enhancing the hospital experience and reducing readmissions. Nurses in one group will use the new communication techniques and tool, while the other group will continue with their usual methods. The trial seeks patients admitted to the hospital who can communicate in English, as well as registered nurses at Baptist Health South Florida with an active Florida license. As an unphased trial, this study offers patients an opportunity to contribute to improving hospital care and communication practices.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on communication coaching rather than medication changes.

What prior data suggests that this communication coaching and discharge tool are safe for use in acute care settings?

Research has shown that good communication between nurses and patients can enhance patient safety and satisfaction with care. One study explained how certain communication methods can engage patients more in their own care, leading to better health outcomes.

Another study highlighted nurse-led solutions, such as the S.M.A.R.T. discharge tool, which address common issues when patients leave the hospital. This tool ensures patients understand their care instructions, reducing the risk of complications and readmissions.

Additionally, teamwork among healthcare providers, known as interprofessional communication, has been proven to improve patient safety and decision-making. These findings suggest that the Communication Coaching and S.M.A.R.T. Discharge Tool are likely well-received because they emphasize better communication and understanding, rather than introducing new drugs or treatments. No reports of negative effects from these communication tools indicate they are safe to use in healthcare settings. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores enhancing nurses' bedside manner through communication coaching and the implementation of the S.M.A.R.T. discharge tool. Unlike current practices that rely on standard discharge methods, this trial aims to improve patient outcomes by focusing on effective communication and structured discharge planning. The unique approach combines caring communication coaching, which provides nurses with continuing education credits, with a systematic discharge tool designed to ensure patients understand their care instructions better. This could lead to reduced readmission rates and overall improved patient satisfaction, making it a promising advancement in patient care practices.

What evidence suggests that communication coaching and the S.M.A.R.T. discharge tool could be effective for improving nurse-patient relationships?

Research has shown that effective communication by nurses can greatly enhance patients' perceptions of their care and their involvement in it. In this trial, one group of nurses will receive communication coaching and implement the S.M.A.R.T. discharge tool. Studies have found that using organized tools like the S.M.A.R.T. tool to explain discharge instructions improves patients' understanding of their care and reduces post-discharge complications. Training in communication enables nurses to connect better with patients, enhancing care and safety. These methods have reduced the likelihood of patients needing to return to the hospital soon after discharge. By focusing on clear communication and careful planning, patients often experience better health outcomes. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for nurses working in acute care settings who are interested in improving patient-nurse communication and reducing hospital readmissions. Specific eligibility criteria have not been provided, so it's open to those willing to use the S.M.A.R.T. Discharge Tool and undergo communication coaching.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 18 or older, hospitalized, and fluent in English.

I am a nurse at Baptist Health South Florida with an active Florida license.

Exclusion Criteria

Nurses: Directors, managers, charge nurse/relief charge nurse. Nurses floated to the unit. Nurses unable to commit to the interview.

I am not in hospice care, do not have severe psychological issues, and can commit to an interview.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Nurses receive caring communication coaching and implement the S.M.A.R.T. discharge tool

4 weeks

Ongoing engagement with coaching sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in nurse caring behaviors and communication skills

4 weeks

Assessments at T1 and T2

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Communication Coaching
• Implement S.M.A.R.T. Discharge Tool

Trial Overview The study tests if caring communication coaching combined with a S.M.A.R.T. Discharge Tool can enhance nurse-patient relationships, increase satisfaction, prevent complications, lower readmission rates, and improve overall health outcomes.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Communication Coaching + S.M.A.R.T. Discharge Tool Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Nurses in this group will receive caring communication coaching (2 CEUs) and implement the S.M.A.R.T. discharge tool. Outcomes will be assessed at T0, T1 (4 weeks), and T2 (1 month post-T1).

Group II: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Nurses in this group will continue standard discharge practices without coaching or the S.M.A.R.T. tool. Outcomes will be assessed at the same time points (T0, T1, T2).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Baptist Health South Florida

Lead Sponsor

Trials

54

Recruited

8,100+

Florida Atlantic University

Collaborator

Trials

35

Recruited

10,700+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07136350

Study Details | NCT07136350 | Nurse Caring Communication ... Nurses in this group will receive caring communication coaching (2 CEUs) and implement the S.M.A.R.T. discharge tool. Outcomes will be assessed at T0, T1 (4 ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11241268/

Uncovering Nursing Communication Strategies and ... This study summarizes the current knowledge regarding nursing communication strategies and relational styles used to promote patient engagement ...

3. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/journalpatientsafety/fulltext/9900/nursing_recommendations_to_improve_discharge_and.359.aspx

Nursing Recommendations to Improve Discharge and Care... This study aimed to identify common challenges in discharge planning and highlight nurse-driven solutions to improve patient safety.

4. uknowledge.uky.edu uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1422&context=dnp_etds

Activating the Patient: A Nurse Led Coaching Intervention to ... Purpose: the purpose of this study is to assess the effect of a nurse-to-patient coaching intervention using the IDEAL discharge framework from the Agency for ...

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2313-576X/11/3/91

Effective Interprofessional Communication for Patient ... Effective interprofessional communication (IPC) improves patient safety, decision-making, and professional relationships [1,2,3]. Ebert et al. defined ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11459674/

Specialized nurses' role in ensuring patient safety within ... This review aimed to identify the nature and scope of specialized nurses' roles in ensuring patient safety within the context of telehealth in home care.

7. ahrq.gov ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/professionals/systems/hospital/engagingfamilies/strategy3/Strat3_Implement_Hndbook_508.pdf

Nurse Bedside Shift Report Implementation Handbook The goal of the Nurse Bedside Shift Report strategy is to help ensure the safe handoff of care between nurses by involving the patient and family. The patient.