Communication skills training for brain death discussions in healthcare education: a scoping review protocol
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62741/ahrj.v3iSuppl.238Keywords:
brain death, Communication, health education, organ donationAbstract
Introduction: Communication with family members regarding brain death is a critical competency in healthcare practice, requiring healthcare professionals to deliver complex and emotionally sensitive information effectively. Despite its recognized importance, there is limited clarity regarding the educational content, teaching strategies, and assessment methods used to develop these communication skills in healthcare education.
Objectives: This scoping review aims to map how communication with families in brain death situations is addressed through educational interventions. Specifically, it will identify teaching strategies, learning objectives, delivery methods, and evaluation approaches, as well as reported outcomes.
Methodology: Searches will be conducted in MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL Complete, Education Source, APA PsycArticles, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and Nursing and Allied Health databases (via EBSCOhost), as well as Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Additional searches will be conducted in ProQuest databases and the Scientific Open Access Repository of Portugal to identify grey literature. Supplementary searches will include Google Scholar, screening relevant sources, and professional and regulatory organization websites. No language or publication date restrictions will be applied. Study selection, data extraction, and synthesis will follow JBI methodology, with two reviewers. Data will be summarized in tables and narrative form, focusing on teaching strategies, educational content, and outcomes such as communication competence, confidence, and preparedness.
Conclusion: This scoping review will map the existing evidence on educational strategies used to prepare healthcare professionals and healthcare students for communication with families about brain death. The findings will identify current educational practices, knowledge gaps, and opportunities to inform evidence-based communication training.
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