Evaluating the impact of an assertiveness communication training programme for Japanese nursing students: a quasi-experimental study

Aim: To examine the impact of an assertiveness communication training programme on Japanese nursing students’ level of assertiveness and intention to speak up when concerned about patient safety. Design: A quasi‐experimental design with two parallel groups was used. Methods: Third‐year nursing students from two Japanese educational institutions were allocated to an intervention and control group. The intervention group completed the Theory of Planned Behaviour–Assertive Communication Questionnaire and the Japanese version of the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule after attending assertive communication workshops. The second group completed the surveys before attending the workshop and were referred as the control group. Data were collected in December 2017–January 2018. Results: A total of 123 out of 150 nursing students completed the surveys. Following the assertiveness communication training programme, a higher percentage of students from the intervention group demonstrated the intention to speak up. The intervention group also displayed higher levels of assertiveness, although the results were not statistically significant.