Impact of an experiential learning program on developing communication skills of chronic hospitalized schizophrenic patients

ABSTRACT

The sample consisted of 40 chronic hospitalized schizophrenic patients selected from El-Nil Sanatorium for Mental Health. Data were collected by interviewing patients individually. The instrument which utilized during the interview was an Observation Rating Scale. This was developed by the investigators and consisted of 2 subscales. The first subscale was for verbal communication behaviors [23 items]. The second subscale was constructed for non-verbal communication behaviors [17 items] in a 5-point likert format. It was used twice, before and after participation in the program. The results indicated a significant improvement in communication abilities of the experimental group more than the control group. It is recommended that psychiatric nurses should structure their interaction with schizophrenic patients in a way that provides frequent opportunities for them to talk and communicate with continuous monitoring of patients' communication progress at frequent regular intervals