University of Pittsburgh researchers have developed and produced two short teaching videos to provide best practice training for nursing students in the care of aggressive patients.
Description
These two original videos, approximately 5 minutes in length, have been designed to demonstrate nurses’ responses to verbal or physical aggression. Actors in the videos are from the Standardized Patient Program at the university’s medical school and from nursing faculty. The videos demonstrate how the nursing staff response can either escalate or de-escalate a situation. These videos could be included in nursing education globally to improve de-escalation skills amongst nursing students when managing physically and verbally aggressive patients, thereby improving staff safety and nursing care.
Applications
• Nursing education
• Conflict Management Training
• Medical education
Advantages
Aggression towards healthcare workers is widespread and sadly often accepted as part of the job despite the physical, mental, and emotional harm it causes. Over one fifth of nurses and 60% of nursing students have experienced aggression from patients, family members, or visitors. Nursing students are particularly vulnerable due to their age, lack of experience, and knowledge. Regardless of this risk to students, undergraduate courses rarely include training to manage aggressive behavior. Providing training to empower nursing students to de-escalate and manage aggressive behavior should improve retention of staff and students and improve the quality of care provided to patients who exhibit aggressive behavior.
These training videos are designed to educate students in key communication skills related to the prevention and management of aggressive situations. Techniques such as listening and engagement, awareness of verbal and non-verbal communication, maintaining personal control and space, and offering alternatives are included, all of which can be used to de-escalate aggressive situations.
Invention Readiness
Two videos demonstrating actions that can escalate and de-escalate physical and verbal aggression were developed.
In a study of 148 first-term sophomore nursing students, the videos were presented and then followed by an evidence-based reflective group debriefing session. Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to plan and implement an action required to achieve a desired goal and a key aspect of patient care and nursing performance. Perceived self-efficacy (PSE) scores increased significantly following the training video and debriefing, with younger students gaining most benefit. Of note, PSE scores relating to empathy with the patient and provision of compassionate care demonstrated the greatest increase.
IP Status
Patent Pending
