The effect of a short-term Balint group on the communication ability and self-efficacy of pre-examination and triage nurses during COVID-19.

Publisher: Blackwell Scientific Publications Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9207302 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1365-2702 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09621067 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Clin Nurs

Original Publication: Oxford ; Boston : Blackwell Scientific Publications, c1992-

Nurse-Patient Relations* ; Self Efficacy*; COVID-19/*nursing; Adult ; COVID-19/epidemiology ; China/epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Quality Improvement ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Triage/organization & administration

Aims and Objectives: To investigate the effect of a short-term Balint group on the improvement in communication ability and self-efficacy of pre-examination and triage nurses during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Background: Working on the front lines of COVID-19 has brought unprecedented psychological stress on pre-examination and triage nurses. Nurse-patient communication ability and the level of self-efficacy are both significant for nurses' psychosomatic health and work input. However, limited empirical evidence exists regarding nurse-patient communication and self-efficacy and specific psychological intervention effects.
Design: Cross-sectional research fulfilling the completed checklist of items that should be included in reports of cross-sectional studies (Appendix S1).
Methods: Nurses (n = 41) in the first layer of pre-examination and triage were engaged in a Balint group activity twice a week for two weeks. They were assessed with the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) pre- and postintervention, and a nurse-patient communication survey form was developed for further postintervention evaluation. The sample was recruited from a class A third-grade hospital in Sichuan, China.
Results: Most of the subjects reported improvement in nurse-patient communication, increased cooperation between patients and their families, and a decreased missed examination rate after the intervention. Moreover, the total mean score of the GSES of nurses after the intervention was increased, but the difference was not statistically significant. The scores of all items in the GSES were improved, and the scores increase for item 4 (I am confident that I can effectively deal with any unexpected event) was statistically significant.
Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a short-term Balint group activity can improve the communication ability and self-efficacy level of front-line nurses to some extent.
Relevance to Clinical Practice: This information may provide some theoretical support for the development of early psychological interventions during major epidemic situations.
(© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Bandura, A., Adams, N. E., & Beyer, J. (1977). Cognitive processes mediating behavioral change. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 35(3), 125-139. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.35.3.125.
Bar-Sela, G., Lulav-Grinwald, D., & Mitnik, I. (2012). “Balint group” meetings for oncology residents as a tool to improve therapeutic communication skills and reduce burnout level. Journal of Cancer Education, 27(4), 786-789. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-012-0407-3.
Bong, Y. S., So, H. S., & You, H. S. (2009). A study on the relationship between job stress, self-efficacy and job satisfaction in nurses. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration, 15(3), 425-433.
Carlos, W. G., Dela Cruz, C. S., Cao, B., Pasnick, S., & Jamil, S. (2020). Novel wuhan (2019-nCoV) coronavirus. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 201(4), P7-P8. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.2014P7.
Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). Epidemic situation and risk assessment of 2019 novel coronavirus. Retrieved from http://www.chinacdc.cn/yyrdgz/202001/P020200128523354919292.pdf.
Dong, J. L., Sha, L. Y., Yi, J., & Li, L. (2016). The role of Balint groups training in improving nurses′ emotional intelligence and communication ability. Journal of Nursing Science, 31(21), 73-75. (in Chinese). https://doi.org/10.3870/j.issn.1001-4152.2016.21.073.
Feo, R., Rasmussen, P., Wiechula, R., Conroy, T., & Kitson, A. (2017). Developing effective and caring nurse-patient relationships. Nursing Standard, 31(28), 54-63. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2017.e10735.
Hsu, L. L., Huang, Y. H., & Hsieh, S. I. (2014). The effects of scenario-based communication training on nurses’ communication competence and self-efficacy and myocardial infarction knowledge. Patient Education and Counseling, 95(3), 356-364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2014.03.010.
Hui, D. S., I Azhar, E., Madani, T. A., Ntoumi, F., Kock, R., Dar, O., Ippolito, G., Mchugh, T. D., Memish, Z. A., Drosten, C., Zumla, A., & Petersen, E. (2020). The continuing 2019-nCoV epidemic threat of novel coronaviruses to global health-The latest 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan. China. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 91, 264-266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2020.01.009.
Jerusalem, M., & Schwarzer, R. (1992). Self-efficacy as a resource factor in stress appraisal processes. Self-efficacy: Thought control of action (pp. 195-213). Hemisphere Publishing Corp.
Kjeldmand, D., & Holmström, I. (2008). Balint groups as a means to increase job satisfaction and prevent burnout among general practitioners. The Annals of Family Medicine, 6(2), 138-145. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.813.
Kourkouta, L., & Papathanasiou, I. V. (2014). Communication in nursing practice. Materia socio-medica, 26(1), 65. https://doi.org/10.5455/msm.2014.26.65-67.
Lau, P. Y., & Chan, C. W. H. (2005). Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome): Reflective practice of a nurse manager. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 14(1), 28-34. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2004.00995.x.
Lee, A. M., Wong, J. G. W. S., McAlonan, G. M., Cheung, V., Cheung, C., Sham, P. C., Chu, C.-M., Wong, P.-C., Tsang, K. W. T., & Chua, S. E. (2007). Stress and psychological distress among SARS survivors 1 year after the outbreak. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 52(4), 233-240. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370705200405.
Liu, Q. W., Zhong, L. T., Ao, J., Liang, L. F., & Huang, J. Y. (2019). The effect of empathy ability training on improving the job burnout and nurse-patient relationship of young nurse. Nursing Practice and Research, 16(14), 144-145. (in chinese).
Otten, H. (2017). The theory and practice of Balint group work: Analyzing professional relationships. Routledge.
Rabin, S., Herz, M., Stern, M., Vaserfirer, I., Belakovsky, S., Mark, M., & Ribak, J. (1996). Improving the professional self-efficacy cognitions of immigrant doctors with Balint groups. The Israel Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences, 33(4), 253-259.
Rabinowitz, S., Kushnir, T., & Ribak, J. (1996). Preventing burnout: Increasing professional self efficacy in primary care nurses in a Balint Group. Aaohn Journal, 44(1), 28-32. https://doi.org/10.1177/216507999604400108.
Samuel, O. (1989). How doctors learn in a Balint group. Family Practice, 6(2), 108-113. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/6.2.108.
Schwarzer, R. (1997). Optimistic self-beliefs: Assessment of general perceived self-efficacy in thirteen cultures. World Psychology, 3(1), 177-190.
Shen, Y. F. (2005). The role and ability of triage nurse in emergency department. Chinese Journal of Nursing, 4.
Shikai, N., Uji, M., Chen, Z., Hiramura, H., Tanaka, N., Shono, M., & Kitamura, T. (2007). The role of coping styles and self-efficacy in the development of dysphoric mood among nursing students. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 29(4), 241-248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-007-9043-3.
Sichuan Daily (2020). Sichuan: Establish three levels of pre-examination and triage, and guard the single flow channel layer by layer. Retrieved from http://sc.people.com.cn/n2/2020/0213/c345167-33790371.html.
Strekalova, Y. A., Krieger, J. L., Kleinheksel, A. J., & Kotranza, A. (2017). I’m sorry to hear that: Empathic communication in virtual education for nurses. Nurse Educator, 42(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000000308.
Stumpf, S. A., Brief, A. P., & Hartman, K. (1987). Self-efficacy expectations and coping with career-related events. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 31(1), 91-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-8791(87)90037-6.
Taylor, B. J. (2000). Reflective practice a guide for nurses and midwives. Australian College of Midwives Incorporated Journal, 13(4), 22-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1031-170X(00)80025-2.
Times, G. (2020). National Health and Health Commission: 2019-nCoV is included in class B infectious diseases, which are controlled according to class A. Retrieved from https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1656295731516824907&wfr=spider&for=pc.
Wang, C. K., Hu, Z. F., & Liu, Y. (2001). Evidences for reliability and validity of the Chinese version of general Self efficacy Scale. Chinese Journal of Applied Psychology, 7(1), 37-40.
Wang, Q. Y., Shao, L. P., & Wang, J. X. (2019). The study of the function of group psychological intervention of Balint group on nurses of self-efficacy and emotional labor. Journal of Xinjiang Medical University, 42(02), 132-134. (in Chinese).
Yang, H. L., Kao, Y. H., & Huang, Y. C. (2006). The job self-efficacy and job involvement of clinical nursing teachers. Journal of Nursing Research, 14(3), 237-249. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.JNR.0000387582.81845.57.
Yang, Y. K. (2011). A study on burnout, emotional labor, and self-efficacy in nurses. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration, 17(4), 423-431. https://doi.org/10.11111/jkana.2011.17.4.423.
Yu, X., Wang, P., Zhai, X., Dai, H., & Yang, Q. (2015). The effect of work stress on job burnout among teachers: The mediating role of self-efficacy. Social Indicators Research, 122(3), 701-708. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-014-0716-5.

2017YFC0113907 National key research and development plan

Keywords: Balint group; COVID-19; nurse-patient communication; nurses; pre-examination and triage; self-efficacy

Date Created: 20200913 Date Completed: 20210219 Latest Revision: 20210219

20231215

10.1111/jocn.15489

32920947