Background Compassion is a key value of hospice care. It is important to staff and to patients. When people are facing a health crisis they want/need compassionate care. Compassionate care begins with staff sensitivity to suffering followed by the commitment and means to alleviate/prevent it. It is demonstrated through four core elements of: attending, understanding, empathising, and helping. Two experienced palliative care communication skills trainers identified a gap in current communication skills training focusing on compassion and developed a new one-day intermediate level communication skills workshop – ENGAGE – with Compassion (EwC).

Aim To develop, deliver and evaluate the workshop.

Method The compassionate communication and communication skills training literature was reviewed. A two-part workshop was developed. Part one focused on creating safety and connecting with participants’ positive practice stories of compassion - to identify, appreciate and build on strengths. Part two focused on modelling and practising an evidence-informed process guided by the ENGAGE acronym (Environment, Notice, Gather, Acknowledge, Give, End). Triad work gave participants three opportunities to experience the ENGAGE process – as listener, speaker and supportive observer. Post workshop evaluations were conducted (n=32).

Results Evaluations highlighted that: a) workshop participants felt safe/supported – essential for engaging with the vulnerability of storytelling and practising something new with peers; b) participants developed greater understanding of their compassionate care strengths and strategies to support their growth; c) the ENGAGE acronym was considered useful to frame the practice of listening fully (to attend, understand and empathise) before responding (to help) and; d) positive-practice storytelling emphasised individual and team strengths.

Conclusion The EwC workshop highlighted existing compassionate care strengths – helpful for building individual and team confidence and morale. It also offered practice using an evidence-informed acronym to promote compassionate care through effective listening and skillful responding. Feedback is promising. Further evaluation is required.