‘Sometimes you need an eye‐opener’: A qualitative study on nursing assistants' experiences of developing communication skills through an educational intervention on person‐centred communication

Abstract

Abstract Aim To explore nursing assistants' (NAs') experiences of developing communication skills while participating in an educational intervention on person‐centred communication. Design A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. Methods Data were collected from interviews and written assignments before, during and after an educational intervention on person‐centred communication targeting NAs in home care services. The data were analysed using a phenomenological approach. A total of 25 NAs participated in the study. Results The findings describe NAs' experiences concerning the communication skills needed for building relationships with older persons and handling emotionally challenging situations. The educational intervention increased their knowledge and awareness of the importance of communication skills and how such skills are developed and refined.

Keywords

• communication
• education
• home care
• nursing assistants
• older persons
• person‐centred