Background: Communication is important for nurse assistants (NAs) when caring for older persons. There is limited research about how to improve the communication competence of NAs in home care. The aim was to describe NAs perception on learning in relation to an educational intervention on person-centred communication.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Data consisted of four group interviews, five individual in-depth interviews and written reflection assignments from participants gathered during the web-based intervention. In total 23 NAs at two home care units participated. The data were analysed using a phenomenographic approach. This is a qualitative method for analysis developed from Nordic traditions of phenomenology. Phenomenography aims to describe individual perceptions of a certain phenomenon.
Preliminary findings points to the nurse assistants perceiving that the education supported their development of person-centred communication. They pointed out self-reflections as important for their learning as well as to get confirmation on what was already known. The NAs described that the intervention added to their knowledge and skills. Even though, there was more to learn and challenges that remained regarding communication in challenging situations such as caring for persons in end-of-life and supporting their relatives, caring for persons being aggressive or violent.
Preliminary implications of research: This study can provide knowledge on participants’ perspective on their learning process, which may be important to consider when conducting educational interventions in home care as well as other health care contexts.