The impact of neurolinguistic programming rapport skills training for registered nurses on one-on-one teaching of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome prevention

Abstract

Nurses teach to maintain health and prevent disease. Rapport and good communication skills are especially required when teaching such sensitive subjects as prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Neurolinguistic programming (NLP) is a communication technique that proposes to enhance rapport. Rapport is enhanced by the use of a combination of verbal and nonverbal techniques where the individual is matched and mirrored by the interviewer and verbal communication follows the sensory system most preferred by the speaker.

The study investigated the effect of NLP as a rapport builder and teaching technique in one-on-one nurse-client teaching transactions including client satisfaction with the relationship and retention of knowledge of AIDS prevention information.

A quasi-experimental design was used. Volunteer nurses were trained to teach AIDS prevention. Their adult volunteer clients were the treatment group. The control group of clients were taught by the nurses using the basic AIDS prevention curriculum. The two groups were compared according to the results of pre-test/post-test knowledge scores and satisfaction ratings for the nurse teacher.

Data was analyzed using analysis of covariance and analysis of variance. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Qualitative A data was collected after the completion of the teaching that supported usefulness of the techniques for teaching. Further studies were recommended.