Therapeutic communication skills in palliative care nursing education: an exploratory study using a role-playing tool

Abstract

This study aim to explore the experiences of nursing final-year students on the care of the person in a palliative situation and their family using the role-playing technique. Qualitative, descriptive research developed in October 2020 with 30 third-year nursing students from a palliative care nursing course, in Portugal. Individual debriefing reflections and thematic analysis of the information were conducted. Two main themes emerged: 1) facilitators; and 2) barriers of role-playing in a simulated palliative care context. We concluded that type of simulation allows students to deal with complex palliative care situations from an individual and realistic perspective.