How Fast Can Nurses Learn Therapeutic Communication Skills? A Pilot Study on Brief Hypnotic Communication Training Conducted with Oncology Nurses

H. Zarglayoun; C. Arbour; J. Delage; S. Pierre; M. Tremblay; D. Hjeij; P. Rainville; D. Ogez

H. Zarglayoun Department of Psychology, université de Montréal, H3C 3J7 Montreal, Canada
C. Arbour Faculty of Nursing, université de Montréal, H3T 1A8 Montreal, Canada
J. Delage Department of Psychology, université du Québec à Montréal, H3C 3P8 Montreal, Canada
S. Pierre Department of Psychology, université du Québec à Montréal, H3C 3P8 Montreal, Canada
M. Tremblay Hôpital de la Cité-de-la-Santé, CISSS de Laval, H7M 3L9 Laval, Canada
D. Hjeij Faculty of Nursing, université de Montréal, H3T 1A8 Montreal, Canada
P. Rainville Faculty of Dental Medicine, université de Montréal, H3V 1H9 Montreal, Canada
D. Ogez Department of Psychology, université du Québec à Montréal, H3C 3P8 Montreal, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, université de Montréal, H3T 1J4 Montréal, Canada; Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, boulevard de l’Assomption, H1T 2M4 Montreal (Quebec), Canada

Article ID: 3926

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Abstract

Objective: This project aimed to train nurses on an oncology unit in hypnotic communication to reduce treatment-related pain and anxiety in their patients. A pilot study was conducted to assess changes in hypnotic communication behaviors associated with the training.
Methods: Nurses were recruited and their interactions during a simulated patient admission for treatment (before and after training) were recorded. Hypnotic communication skills were assessed by independent reviewers using a training checklist listing different hypnotic communication techniques and a validated assessment scale (Sainte-Justine Hypnotic Communication Assessment Scale, SJ-HCAS).
Results: Seven nurses were evaluated. Wilcoxon pairedsample tests (pre–post) reported significant improvement with large effect sizes in the total score of the training grid (P = 0.034, r = 0.832) and significant improvement with large effect sizes in the relational (P = 0.018, r = 0.930) and total (P = 0.021, r = 0.903) scores of the SJ-HCAS.
Conclusion: This pilot study shows promising results regarding the effectiveness of hypnotic communication training for nurses. These acquired skills could translate into improved treatment experience with patients and could be transferred to other professionals and settings in the health care system.

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