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Learning units for better training of healthcare professionals

Better communication with patients: experts at Jacobs University Bremen have developed appropriate learning units for the training of future healthcare professionals.

 

March 31, 2020

Many patients do not understand their caregivers, doctors or therapists properly or do not seem to follow their recommendations. How can nurses in particular better support patients with little health competence? Within the framework of the European research project "IMPACCT", experts at Jacobs University Bremen have developed appropriate learning units for the training of future healthcare professionals. Their recommendations can be read in a recently published article in the nursing journal "PADUA".

Every second patient in Germany has difficulties in implementing recommendations on how to restore or improve their own health. It is precisely this group of people who find it difficult to understand their illness and the factors influencing it and to follow the treatment recommendations of professionals. Nursing staff play a key role in communicating what is medically necessary and in motivating patients. However, they themselves often lack the necessary knowledge and tools to overcome these difficulties.

One way out of this dilemma is to raise awareness and improve the training of health professionals, especially with regard to successful communication. The European research project "IMPACCT" has set itself the goal of achieving this. "The current academization of the nursing professions is an opportunity to provide future nurses with knowledge and tools for dealing with patients, in order to develop health competence in Germany in the long term," says Dr. Annalena Welp from Jacobs University, who wrote the article together with health psychologist Prof. Dr. Sonia Lippke.

The European project partners developed a total of 18 learning units, five of which have already been translated into German. They take up contents from various disciplines such as psychology, communication sciences, pedagogy or public health and specifically promote competencies such as emotional intelligence, reflexivity and analytical skills. Part of each learning unit are various, also interactive elements such as lectures, workshops, studies and worksheets.

Interested institutions or individuals can request the learning units by email. Contact us: A.Welp [at] jacobs-university.de

Link to the study: https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/abs/10.1024/1861-6186/a000531