Role Play as a Method of Improving Communication Skills of Professionals Working with Clients in Institutionalized Care – a Literature Review

Abstract Effective communication skills represent a crucial aspect of competence of professionals working in institutionalized care. Quality of communication between professionals and clients has an impact on how the care is delivered, how clients perceive the care and how professionals experience their role. The aim of the present review is to provide an overview of current research on the education interventions aimed at improving communication skills of professionals working with clients in institutionalized care, e.g. nursing homes. Main keywords and phrases (communication, language, education, training, intervention, role play, professionals, institutionalized care) were used to search for relevant papers in the available databases. Studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were analyzed from the perspective of study design, target sample (social workers, health care professionals, andragogists), applied methods of education, and quality of measures employed to assess the effect. Interventions for effective communication skills development were identified. The study summarizes the main theoretical perspectives, empirically supported intervention approaches and future directions.