Aims and objectives:

To examine how the use of Social Interaction Maps (SIMs), a tool in the EXCELL (EXCELLence in Cultural Experiential Learning and Leadership) Program can enhance the development of nurses’ intercultural/intraprofessional communication skills.

Background:

Nurses face communication challenges when interacting with others from similar background as well as those from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background. We used the EXCELL Program's Social Interaction Maps (SIMs) tool to foster intercultural/intraprofessional communication skills in nurses. SIMs describe verbal and non-verbal communication behaviours that model ways of communicating in a culturally appropriate manner. The Maps include four stages of an interaction, namely: Approach, Bridging, Communicating and Departing using the acronym ABCD.

Design:

Qualitative approach was used with a purposeful sample of nurses enrolled in a postgraduate course.

Methods:

Fifteen participants were recruited. The SIM tool was taught to participants in a workshop where they engaged in sociocultural communication activities using scenarios. Participants were asked to apply SIMs in their workplaces. Six weeks later participants completed a semi-structured open-ended questionnaire and participated in a discussion forum on their experience of using SIMs. Data were content analysed.

Results:

Four themes identified in the use of the SIMS were: (i) enhancing self-awareness of communication skills; (ii) promoting skills in being non-confrontational during difficult interactions; (iii) highlighting the importance of A (Approach) and B (Bridging) in interaction with others; (iv)awareness of how others interpret what is said C (Communicating), and discussing to resolve issues before closure D (Departing).

Conclusions:

Application of the EXCELL Social Interaction Mapping tool was shown to be useful in developing intercultural/intraprofessional communication skills in nurses.

Relevance to clinical practice:

Professional development programs that incorporate EXCELL Social Interaction Maps can enhance nurses’ intercultural/intraprofessional communication competencies when engaging with others from CALD backgrounds and improve the way nurses communicate with each other.