Evaluation of a consultation skills workshop using the Consultation Assessment and Improvement Instrument for Nurses

The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of training in the use of the Consultation Assessment and Improvement Instrument for Nurses (CAIIN) in the context of expanding roles for primary care nurses. To achieve this, 10 experienced primary care nurses undertook a 3-day workshop in using the CAIIN to evaluate videotaped consultations between nurses and patients, and consultations between course participants and simulated patients. The impact of the workshop was assessed by questionnaire and semistructured interview. All participants found the CAIIN to be an acceptable approach to analyse and improve the consultation performance of themselves and others. They believed that it would further improve their existing skills, and provided a useful framework for learning those aspects of consultation competence in which they had less confidence. Several found role-play with simulated patients stressful. Concerns about the role of nurses in clinical problem-solving were reduced, but remained significant. The CAIIN was considered to have good potential as a learning tool as part of continuing professional development and clinical supervision. In conclusion, the rapidly expanding roles of primary care nurses requires serious consideration to be given to assessing and improving their consultation skills. The CAIIN provides an acceptable method of doing so. However, learning to use the instrument effectively requires expertise amongst teachers and significant protected learning time for nurses who become assessors or mentors of their peers.