Background: Effective educational approaches are required to enhance nursing students' communication competency.Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of SEGUE ('set the stage,' 'elicit information,' 'give information,' 'understand the patient's perspective,' and 'end the encounter')-based communication education.Design: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design.Methods: Students were randomized into the control group (n = 41) and experimental group (n = 57). Communication competency and efficacy were measured via a self-report questionnaire and via ratings of the students from professor and standardized patient.Results: Scores by students (self-evaluations; p < .001), professor (p < .001), and standardized patient (p < .042) showed higher communication competency in the experimental group. Compared with the control group, the pre-post difference in communication efficacy in the experimental group was increased (p = .004).Conclusions: Simulation practice to reflect the various clinical situation is recommended to improve students' communication.Impact statement: SEGUE-based communication education in nursing simulation practice with the standardized patient was an effective strategy for improving nursing students' communication.
Keywords: communication; education; simulation practice; standardized patient.