The potential role of improvisation training to optimize communication in emergency care

Abstract

One of the most common challenges in acute care is the time- and space-limited communication with patients, relatives and colleagues. There is ample evidence, however, that the quality of care, patient and staff satisfaction can be improved, measured and researched using simple communication tools (e.g., training). This improvement was what we focused on when carrying out voluntary participation surveys with the staff of the Department of Emergency Medicine of the Clinical Centre of the University of Pécs. With the help of a trained psychologist-actor and a senior specialist in medical communication, we investigated the potential impact of applied improvisation on medical communication by testing the participants in various situations simulating communication challenges after having completed an improv-based communication training full of exercises, games and tasks. After warm-up games taken from improv, the participants completed pre-defined tasks and finished every session with discussion and self-reflective feedback. Questionnaire (Interpersonal Confidence Questionnaire - ICQ) was used to check the potentially positive impact of improvisation on emergency communication. Our studies confirmed that the applied elements of medical improvisation, developing communication skills through play not only make participants more assertive and empathic, but also - after preparation - lead to a smoother and more effective exchange of information. Positive feedback from participants in the training sessions also confirms this. Our aim is to develop an improvisation-based communication training focused specifically on acute care providers, which, based on our initial experience, could optimize communication with patients, relatives and also between professionals. Application of improvisational techniques in this segment of acute care studied by us might open new perspectives to improve communication. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(19): 739-746.