Empathetic Communication Through a Choose your Own Adventure Game

Empathetic communication is a cornerstone of high-quality, patient-centered nursing care, especially in palliative end-of-life situations. Students report anxiety and uncertainty with having difficult conversations with patients in both the simulated and clinical setting. A Choose your Own Adventure Game allows students to explore different approaches to communication, receive immediate feedback, and experience the true impact of their words on patient outcomes. In this podcast and article, Judith Caroline Quick describes this approach and how it builds confidence in  students, allowing them to practice without judgment before communicating with patients in the clinical setting.