Educational Intervention Improves Communication Abilities of Nurses Encountering Workplace Incivility.

Abstract

As the issues of incivility, lateral and horizontal violence, and bullying continue in nursing, strategies are needed to address these disruptive behaviors. Educational activities raise awareness of these issues and can improve the ability to reduce the frequency and overall impact of incivility. This study used a pretest/posttest quasiexperimental mixed-methods design to improve dialogue and interpersonal engagement and to create behavioral change. The Workplace Civility Index (WCI) was used to measure interventional success. WCI scores improved significantly (p < .00001) for the experimental group postintervention. In contrast, the WCI scores decreased significantly for the control group (p = .000227). Within the experimental group, all participants noted the successful use of a positive conflict management strategy after the educational intervention. Although further research is recommended, this study provided evidence to support the efficacy of an asynchronous provider-directed, learner-paced e-learning educational activity in decreasing incivility and increasing perceived comfort level during critical conversations between nurses. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2020;51(3):138-144.].