Date on Honors Thesis

5-2024

Major

Communication Disorders

Examining Committee Member

Dr. Stephanie Schaaf, Advisor

Examining Committee Member

Dr. Nikki Gaylord, Committee Member

Examining Committee Member

Carolyn Tinsley, Committee Member

Abstract/Description

As healthcare professionals, nurses must be able to effectively communicate with their patients to ensure their health, safety, and comfort. However, this can be particularly challenging when it comes to patients with complex communication needs (CCN), where communication breakdowns can lead to sentinel events. Alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) can help those with CCN improve communication across various settings, including in healthcare. Unfortunately, there is a severe lack of training for nurses when it comes to communicating with patients with CCN and the use of AAC. Webb et al. (2024) investigated the effectiveness of a combined synchronous and asynchronous training and education program for nursing students, covering the use of AAC when communicating with patients with CCN. The results were overwhelmingly positive with participants demonstrating a significant increase in post-test performance. The purpose of the present study was to replicate the research of Webb et al. (2024) to build upon its findings. Undergraduate nursing students (n=23) were recruited to complete a combined online/asynchronous and in-person/synchronous training program over CCN and AAC. Student participants completed a pre-test before receiving training and a post-test after training was completed. Post-intervention test scores were significantly higher than pre-intervention scores, supporting the idea that combined synchronous and asynchronous communication training is an effective model for educating nursing students.

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