Enhancing peer review with communication skill building.

The purpose of this pilot was to improve the peer review process by enhancing the communication skills of staff nurses. Communication skill building was taught to staff members with practice time allotted. The paradigm shift occurred in teaching staff that communication is a learned skill built through practice and not solely a cognitive skill. The results of this pilot demonstrated improved verbal communication, increased comfort with peer review, improved ability to separate performance from individual style differences, and increased accuracy with which staff rate themselves on self evaluations. An indirect benefit has been improved teamwork from increased support among the staff.