Transpersonal Experiential Approach on Living and Dying Improve Physicians-Nurses Communication Skills and Well Being

Therapeutic relationship is mainly unconsciously driven, and physicians, nurses, are usually not specifically trained in it: unrecognised and not elaborated emotions, needs, metacognition, fear of death and suffering, highly activate limbic system and may induce sufferance, distress, burnout, and/or may impair therapeutic relationship itself. The transpersonal mind-body-spirit model is particularly useful in this context (Grossman, Wilber, Vaughan) because it approaches sufferance in a multilevel way: from conscious to unconscious, from body to emotions, to mind, society, spirit, from rational to non rational, creative, intuitive, peak experiences, by respecting and empowering the individual inmost attitudes-needs-Self. It was widely applied by Joules Grossman, in S. Francisco and Italy, and improved by us, since 1983 to now. Method: Techniques and procedures included Bioenergetics; Role-playing; Metamusic (theta, delta brain waves); Meditation and guided imagery. Expansion of consciousness, peak experiences, creativeness, oneness experience, spirituality are involved in this process. Sharing of emerging experiences that can be rapidly elaborated in the transpersonal setting and transformed in an healthier way. Assessment included pre-post SEIQoL test for quality of life and a specific visual-analogue questionnaire of 33 items, to assess 5 main communicative abilities: intellectual, relational, managerial, innovative, emotional, plus the personal satisfaction in the professional life. Participants are encouraged to explore directly the conscious and unconscious sufferance related to death at personal and interpersonal levels (Wilber, Grossman). Results: About 10 courses of two days has been organized (3 out of these had ECM credits) since 2001 to now. Participants (about 8-10 physicians-nurses for each course) reported a subjective improvement of general well being and mood, besides more confidence and competence in communication skills. At the end of the courses all subjects scored significantly higher in the 5 main communicative skills explored: either at personal level (intellectual, relational) and interpersonal level (managerial, innovative, and emotional) (p<0.001). SEIQoL showed better quality of life (p<0.01)) In conclusion, this transpersonal experiential formative method showed improvement in communication skills and well being.