Post a brief summary of your experience with the conversation concept lab in Shadow Health.

Post a brief summary of your experience with the conversation concept lab in Shadow Health.

Shadow Health: Using Empathy in Communication

Resources

Post a brief summary of your experience with the conversation concept lab in Shadow Health. Explain when it is most appropriate to use either open-ended or closed-ended questions when engaged with a patient and explain why. Describe one way you demonstrated empathy in your communication with the patient. Then, explain any challenges you may have experienced in using the Shadow Health platform. Were there any instances in which the avatar did not understand a question? What lessons did you learn from this experience in Shadow Health that you might apply with future experiences in the platform or in conversing with patients in general?

Use the Learning Resources and/or best available evidence from current literature to support your post.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by proposing a recommendation on how your colleagues might address the challenges they described.

Expert Answer and Explanation

The shadow health experience was interesting and showed how technology can enhance knowledge and skill acquisition. I had a great time learning some of the basic yet important concepts during patient encounters that I can transfer to real practice. The patient encounter revealed areas that are often overlooked yet important in collecting elaborate patient data.

The use of open-ended questions when collecting patient data during assessment allows for a detailed response providing better insight into the patient’s condition, and they are strongly recommended for opening questions (Abe et al., 2023). It is ideal to use open-ended questions mostly when collecting detailed information about a patient’s concerns, experiences, or perspectives. While open-ended questions collect more detailed information about the patient, using both open and closed-ended questions is advised for more elaborate and insightful information during the interview (Semyonov-Tal & Lewin-Epstein, 2021).

Closed-ended questions help to gather direct questions, for example, pain scores, demographics, or other questions that do not need elaboration. One of the ways I demonstrated empathy when assessing the patient during the shadow health simulation was when communicating the patient’s medical history, and trying to understand the burden caused by the condition.

During the experience, I did not encounter any challenges, other than identifying the right sequence or terminology when asking the patient questions. One instance where the patient did not understand was when I asked two conjoined questions. She either did not answer or answered one, which I realized was a wrong practice. One should always ask one question at a time to prevent confusion when collecting data.

One aspect I learned from shadow health is that patient interactions are more than just asking questions; it calls for nurses to understand the patient, empathize, and provide emotional support during the encounter if need be, and most importantly, to have a structured approach to collecting data from the patient. A structured approach to collecting data is critical in ensuring that all the relevant data required to provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is collected (Bickley, 2024).

References

Abe, T., Nishiyama, J., Kushida, S., Kawashima, M., Oishi, N., & Ueda, K. (2023). Tailored opening questions to the context of using medical questionnaires: Qualitative analysis in first-visit consultations. Journal of General and Family Medicine, 24(2), 79-86. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgf2.593Links to an external site.

Bickley, L. S. (2024). Bates guide to physical examination and history taking (13th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

Semyonov-Tal, K., & Lewin-Epstein, N. (2021). The importance of combining open-ended and closed-ended questions when conducting patient satisfaction surveys in hospitals. Health policy OPEN, 2, 100033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpopen.2021.100033Links to an external site.

Alternative Expert Answer

Summary of my experience with the conversation concept lab in Shadow Health

In my experience with the conversation concept lab, descriptive information was given on how to interview the patient to gather subjective data that can be used to address the patient’s chief concern while gathering an adequate health history to better understand the patient. The conversation concept lab in Shadow health well explained how to gather subjective data from the patient by using three categories of question types including open-ended or general questions, quantity or numeric questions, and yes-or-no questions to conduct the patient interview.

The conversation concept lab generated practice questions which allowed me to select the correct answer choice from a list of questions that included an open question, numeric question, and yes or no question to choose from. Positive feedback was given when the questions were answered correctly, and the lab also gave opportunities to retry these question attempts. The lab also emphasized how important it is during a patient interview to ask follow-up questions to gather as much subjective data as possible to better understand the patient and their health.

Appropriateness of using open-ended or closed-ended questions when engaged with a patient with explanation

It is appropriate to use open-ended questions throughout the patient interview and to greet the patient to identify what health concern prompted their health visit because open-ended questions allow the patient to respond freely while explaining their chief health concern (Bickley, 2024). Open-ended questions allow patients to verbalize their health concerns, and it is appropriate for the health care provider to urge the patient to explain their health concern with as much description as possible to address their health issues adequately (Goldberg, 2018). It is appropriate to ask closed-ended questions and/or yes or no questions when following up with subjective data given by the patient to clarify this information during the patient interview.

One way empathy was demonstrated during communication with patient

One way that I demonstrated empathy during communication with the patient was by actively listening to the patient during the interview and by following up with nonjudgmental questions when gathering subjective data on substances including alcohol, smoking, and illegal substance use. It is important for healthcare providers to empathize with patients in clinical settings because this shows emotional engagement and interest in learning about the health concerns of patients from the patient’s outlook (Guidi & Traversa, 2021).

Challenges experienced using the Shadow Health platform

Challenges that I experienced using the Shadow Health platform include missing some of the appropriate follow-up questions during the interview regarding the frequency and dosage of over-the-counter medication use, severity of food allergies, and exploring the reasons the patient chose to engage in smoking.

Avatar’s understanding of questions

The avatar’s understanding of the questions was adequate as the avatar verbalized answers to all questions that I asked during the interview. The avatar also elaborated on some of the questions asked during the interview. 

Lessons learned from Shadow Health experience that I might apply with future experiences in the platform or while conversing with patients generally

Lessons that I learned from the Shadow Health experience that I might apply with future experiences in the platform are utilizing the optional questions that are generated to rephrase questions asked of the patient. The Shadow Health experience can help me converse with patients generally teaching me how to ask follow-up questions during health assessments that can help me get to the root of the health concerns of patients to ensure patient safety and improve their health outcomes.

References

Bickley, L. S. (2024). Bates guide to physical examination and history taking (13th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

Goldberg, C. (2018). UCSD’s practical guide to clinical medicine. Retrieved from https://meded.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/history.htm

Guidi, C., & Traversa, C. (2021). Empathy in patient care: from ‘Clinical Empathy’ to ‘Empathic Concern’. Medicine, health care, and philosophy, 24(4), 573–585. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-021-10033-4

Alternative Expert Answer

My experience in the shadow health concept lab was new to me so I was really trying to grip the interactive experience of asking the patient the right questions for my interview. I used open ended questions when asking the patient what was the chief complaint that caused the visitation, her medical condition, medications, allergies, and substance abuse to obtain my data. I did not make any empathetic statements during my interview.

The empathy part of the patient interview is an important part of the nurse patient communication. Displaying empathetic communication improves the clinician’s understanding of the patient’s situation with communication and using this understanding to help the patient to be comfortable and transparent the patient will be empowered to share health concerns with the provider which will lead to better health outcomes (Byrne et al.,2024). The nurse-patient communication in the interviewing process is the most important part of providing professional care.  The Nurses can use effective empathetic communication to promote comfort and lessen the patient’s apprehensions about seeking out healthcare (Babaii, et al., 2021).

Person-centered  communication in the interview process for health assessment where empathy is utilized is a fundamental value in the education and execution of clinical social practice (Moudatsou et al., 2020). I must also remember to document the subjective and objective data.  I also should have given the patient education on the importance of wearing an allergy alert ID, bracelet or necklace, and the dangers of smoking, tobacco and nicotine use  In future shadow health assignments, I will remember to document my subjective and objective data and  be more diligent in making empathetic statements and educating my patient.

References

Babaii, A., Mohammadi, E., & Sadooghiasl, A. (2021). The Meaning of the Empathetic Nurse-Patient Communication: A Qualitative Study. Journal of patient experience, 8, 23743735211056432. https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735211056432Links to an external site.

Moudatsou, M., Stavropoulou, A., Philalithis, A., & Koukouli, S. (2020). The Role of Empathy in Health and Social Care Professionals. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 8(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8010026Links to an external site.

Monika Byrne, Carlos Campos, Svetlana Daly, Benjamin Lok, Anna Miles. The current state of empathy, compassion and person-centered communication training in Healthcare: An umbrella review, Patient Education and Counseling, Vol119, 2024,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2023.108063Links 

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FAQs

What is the meaning of Shadow Health?

Shadow Health is an educational software developer of learning environments termed “Digital Clinical Experiences™” (DCEs) that was founded in Gainesville, Florida in 2011. Shadow Health claims to offer web-based clinical learning environments for students and faculty in the fields of nursing and healthcare. The platform provides state-of-the-art simulations that put the patient at the forefront of the learning experience.

How to assess patient status on Shadow Health?

To assess patient status on Shadow Health, students should follow these steps: Begin by obtaining a general overview of the patient’s health status. The assessment process includes introducing yourself to the patient and establishing rapport, examining a patient’s mental status, including memory, orientation, and cognitive function. Students can also check the hair, skin, and nails as part of the comprehensive assessment process.

What is Shadow Health Digital Clinical Experience?

Shadow Health’s Digital Clinical Experiences™ are designed to augment courses for nursing students. Students engage with Digital Standardized Patients™ using a state-of-the-art conversation engine and interactive 3D imagery to perform assessments, practice documentation, and demonstrate clinical skills. With Shadow Health, undergraduate and graduate students can practice your skills in a safe, simulated clinical environment.

Does Shadow Health save your progress?

Yes, Shadow Health automatically saves your progress. You can pause and resume the assignment at any time; your work is always saved automatically. Additionally, your progress is automatically saved every 30 seconds and every assignment setting allows you to stop and resume an assignment until you leave the patient’s room. The test system will automatically save your accumulated score and progress at all times.

What is a shadow patient?

Based on the search results, a shadow patient refers to Digital Standardized Patients™ within the Shadow Health platform. These are virtual patients that students interact with during their digital clinical experiences to practice assessment and clinical skills in a simulated environment.

What to ask on Shadow Health?

While specific question examples weren’t detailed in the search results, the platform provides guided prompts provided each step of the way to help students navigate patient interviews. The system is designed to develop critical thinking abilities during patient interviews and provides a safe and comfortable learning environment that nurtures confidence and skills in nursing students.

References:

1. Digital Clinical Experiences™ | Shadow Health®. Retrieved from https://www.elsevier.com/products/shadow-health
2. Shadow Health – Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_Health
3. The Shadow Health Digital Clinical Experience – Elsevier Student Life. Retrieved from https://evolve.elsevier.com/studentlife/blog-post/how-shadow-health-digital-clinical-experience-allowed-me-to-be-successful-in-nursing-school-courses/
4. Shadow Health® – Elsevier Student Life. Retrieved from https://evolve.elsevier.com/studentlife/training/shadow-health/
5. Tina Jones Shadow Health – NursingWritingServices.com. Retrieved from https://www.nursingwritingservices.com/tina-jones-shadow-health
6. Shadow Health Health Assessment Handbook. Retrieved from https://www.studocu.com/en-us/document/cuyahoga-community-college/communityhome-nursing/shadow-health-health-assessment-handbook/74087904

Required Readings