Conflict management and communications skills in the ICU: A qualitative study on forming junior critical care nurses with drama pedagogy

Working as a nurse in intensive care units (ICUs) necessitates the possession of technical and non-technical skills in providing high-quality care to critically ill patients. However, current critical care curricula often do not offer training in such skills. To address this gap, drama workshops were developed in this study to improve non-technical skills in post-graduate critical care nursing education. Aim We aimed to understand critical care nursing students’ perceptions of the drama programme, which focused on communication, teamwork and conflict management in the ICU. Methods Focus groups and one individual interview with 19 participants recruited from a post-graduate (or master’s) critical care programme were conducted. Thematic qualitative analysis was used to analyse the data. Findings Four themes were identified: Personal and professional development, Gaining new insights - the power of reflection, Challenges in engaging with drama workshops, and Challenges in creating an authentic environment. The findings suggest an increased awareness of teamwork and individual responsibilities. However, engaging in drama workshops also involved challenges. In particular, the participants were concerned about meeting performance expectations, which introduced pressure and distress. Creating an authentic environment was emphasised as an essential factor for effective and meaningful drama workshops. Conclusion This study emphasises the potential of drama workshops to foster ICU nurses’ personal growth and enhance their professional competences. It highlights the importance of a purposefully tailored drama programme/education and an authentic environment to create meaningful learning experiences in critical care education. Implications for Clinical Practice Teamwork in the ICU can benefit from drama-based learning programmes as it increases awareness regarding the significance of collaboration within the healthcare team. Moreover, it can help develop nurses’ non-technical skills, which are essential in caring for critically ill patients and initiating effective interprofessional interactions.