Developing Empathic Communication Skills Through Service Learning: A Qualitative Case Study.
Purpose To examine whether service learning is a suitable means for improving radiation therapy students' empathic communication skills, which are essential to quality patient care. Methods Ten recent graduates of a radiation therapy program participated in this qualitative study. Data were triangul...
| Published in: | Radiation Therapist Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 106 - 116 |
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| Format: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
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American Society of Radiologic Technologists
Fall2017
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| Summary: | Purpose To examine whether service learning is a suitable means for improving radiation therapy students' empathic communication skills, which are essential to quality patient care. Methods Ten recent graduates of a radiation therapy program participated in this qualitative study. Data were triangulated through semistructured interviews with the participants, their reflections, and researcher observations and reflection notes. Discussion Service learning can be an effective instructional strategy for improving students' empathic communication skills. The health care industry emphasizes efficiency and profitability through technical expertise, often overlooking the human aspects of patient care. Radiation therapy educators are challenged with implementing instructional strategies that motivate and engage students to learn effective caring behaviors that are essential to providing quality patient care. Conclusion This qualitative case study demonstrated that radiation therapy educators can use service learning experiences as an instructional strategy to improve students' empathic communication skills. |
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