Review of Articles

Article 1

Introduction

First off, the paper seeks to among other factors examine the impact of experiential communication skills building workshop among medical practitioners; particularly nursing students.  From the findings, the research concluded that effective communication skills were an integral factor in health institutions as they ensure nurse’s ability to express empathy as well as communicate bad news to the patients (Bays et al. 2014).

Summary

Inspired by trained personnel, the study examined the ability of medical and health practitioners to effectively communicate with patients. Guided by its objectives and aim, the research attests to the fact that communication between patients and health practitioners is a key component in the field of healthcare. The study was conducted over a month in a 5 to 8 half-day periods. From study conducted on 145 health practitioners, it was found out that different trainees possessed differing skills in regard to communication.  However, practitioner’s inter-professional skills in communication changed over time due to training. In regard to the subjects and setting of the research, the study examined student’s nurse practitioners and medicine residents from two universities (Bays et al. 2014). 

Type of study

The study employed a qualitative design technique to examine professional communication skills among health practitioners (Bays et al. 2014). 

Rationale for the design

The choice of study design was inspired by the objectives and aims of the study as well as the method of data collection that was to be employed. The study seeks to inquire or gather expressive information in regard to communication skills among student’s nursing practitioners. The study was conducted among trainees who took part in code talk as a method of data collection.  Through use of code talk, the research evaluated communication skill improvement through standardized patient encounters. 

Article 2

Introduction

The research examines professor’s perceptions regarding incorporating Google applications on collaboration and communication skills among students as a means and method of delivering instructions.  The study concluded that university professors highly vetted for the use of Google apps in classrooms to impact on learning outcomes. The professors pointed out that appropriate development and training on the use of Google apps could positively impact learning strategies (Cahill, 2014). 

Summary

The research examined eight professors from one university who had previously employed Google app as a collaborative tool in classroom. University professors inferred that use of collaborative technology was a big step to modern day learning strategies. They pointed out that, if used appropriately, use of such technology would assist students in terms of project completion in both individual and group work. Drawing insights from the interviews, it was found that use of collaborative technology for instance Google apps had a positive impact on student’s communication skills (Cahill, 2014). In addition, use of the apps improved perceptions as well as knowledge on the use of collaborative technology in classrooms. 

Type of study

The research took a qualitative approach design. The aim of the study is to inform on the perceptions regarding the use of collaborative technology such as Google apps in classrooms. Unlike quantitative research, qualitative study seeks to explore detailed information about human actions and behaviours as well characteristics (Cahill, 2014). 

Rationale for study

The choice of research design was coined akin to the research question or topic. Examining perceptions on the use of collaborative technology requires naturalistic observations for instance use of interviews which cannot be achieved by use of quantitative research design.

References

Bays, A. M., Engelberg, R. A., Back, A. L., Ford, D. W., Downey, L., Shannon, S. E.M.M & O’Connor, K. (2014). Inter-professional communication skills training for serious illness: evaluation of a small-group, simulated patient intervention. Journal of palliative medicine, 17(2), 1159-166.

Cahill, J.L. (2014). University professors’ perceptions about the impact of integrating Google applications on students’ communication and collaboration skills. Journal of Research Initiatives, 1(2), 7.