Stimulating existential communication – first steps towards enhancing health professionals' reflective skills through blended learning

• Published in: PEC innovation Vol. 2; p. 100121
• Main Authors: Timmermann, Connie, Prinds, Christina, Hvidt, Elisabeth Assing, Hvidt, Niels Christian, Lau, Marianne Engelbrecht, Ammentorp, Jette
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-12-2023; Elsevier
• Subjects: Blended learning; Communication training; Existential communication; Paticipatory action research; Reflective practice; Reflective skill; Paticipatory action research; Blended learning; Communication training; Reflective skill; Reflective practice; Existential communication
• ISSN: 2772-6282; 2772-6282
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100121

Talking about existential issues with patients is often experienced as challenging for healthcare professionals. This paper describes our first steps towards developing existential communication training with particular attention to reflective learning methods. Blended learning was chosen to support reflection and an easier transition to classroom conversations, and through Participatory Action Research (PAR), patients were involved in developing the curriculum.
To develop the most valuable and relevant communication training, patients, relatives, healthcare professionals and researchers were involved in a PAR process including 1) three theatre workshops and 2) collaborative meetings to develop the blended learning curriculum and reflection videos. The evaluation of the communication training was based on semi-structured interviews with the healthcare professionals participating in the blended learning communication training.
The results indicate that a blended learning format involving a high degree of reflection is valuable for developing skills related to existential communication. Engaging patients in the process may be essential to develop a training curriculum for healthcare professionals that accommodates the patient's needs.
Future communication training on existential communication may benefit from adopting a blended learning format, including reflective learning methods and the involvement of patients in curriculum development.
•Involving the patients in the development of health communication curriculums is an important way to accommodates the patient's needs.•Exercises involving a high degree of peer reflection are valuable for developing reflective skills related to existential communication.•Reflective skills are essential to stimulate the health professionals' consciousness about their pre-understanding and emotions.•In developing the most valuable communication training involving patients, relatives and healthcare professionals, is essential.