Discussing the transition to palliative care: Evaluation of a brief communication skills training program for oncology clinicians

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle N. Grainger ◽  
Sue Hegarty ◽  
Penelope Schofield ◽  
Vicki White ◽  
Michael Jefford
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Simulated Patients ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Practical Information ◽  
Care Evaluation

AbstractObjective:Discussing the transition from active anti-cancer treatment to palliative care can be difficult for cancer patients and oncology health professionals (OHP). We developed a brief communication skills workshop to assist OHP with these conversations, and examined satisfaction with the workshop and perceived confidence regarding these discussions.Method:Interactive workshops were conducted by trained facilitators and included cognitive, behavioral, and experiential components. The major component of the workshop involved role-plays with trained actors (simulated patients). Participants completed an evaluation questionnaire.Results:Sixty-two OHP participated in workshops. Overall, participants were highly satisfied with the workshop content and format. All participants felt the workshop provided relevant practical information, and >80% thought that participation benefited their work. Over 98% said that the workshop had increased confidence in their communication skills.Significance of results:Participants were very satisfied with the workshop, and thought that participation increased confidence in communicating about the transition to palliative care. Dissemination of this model of communication skills training seems warranted.

scholarly journals Development and preliminary evaluation of a communication skills training programme for hospital physicians by a specialized palliative care service: the ‘Teach to Talk’ programme

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Tanzi ◽  
L. De Panfilis ◽  
M. Costantini ◽  
G. Artioli ◽  
S. Alquati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Palliative Care Service ◽  
Implementation Process ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Specialized Palliative Care

Abstract Background There is widespread agreement about the importance of communication skills training (CST) for healthcare professionals caring for cancer patients. Communication can be effectively learned and improved through specific CST. Existing CSTs have some limitations with regard to transferring the learning to the workplace. The aim of the study is developing, piloting, and preliminarily assessing a CST programme for hospital physicians caring for advanced cancer patients to improve communication competences. Methods This is a Phase 0-I study that follows the Medical Research Council framework; this paper describes the following sections: a literature review on CST, the development of the Teach to Talk training programme (TtT), the development of a procedure for assessing the quality of the implementation process and assessing the feasibility of the implementation process, and the pilot programme. The study was performed at a 900-bed public hospital. The programme was implemented by the Specialized Palliative Care Service. The programme was proposed to 19 physicians from 2 departments. Results The different components of the training course were identified, and a set of quality indicators was developed. The TtT programme was implemented; all the physicians attended the lesson, videos, and role-playing sessions. Only 25% of the physicians participated in the bedside training. It was more challenging to involve Haematology physicians in the programme. Conclusions The programme was completed as established for one of the two departments in which it was piloted. Thus, in spite of the good feedback from the trainees, a re-piloting of a different training program will be developed, considering in particular the bed side component. The program should be tailored on specific communication attitude and believes, probably different between different specialties.

Oxford Textbook of Communication in Oncology and Palliative Care

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Death And Dying ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Treatment Decisions ◽  
Simulated Patients ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Science Section ◽  
Key Skills

This textbook integrates clinical wisdom with empirical findings, drawing upon the history of communication science, providing a comprehensive curriculum for applied communication skills training for specialist oncologists, surgeons, nurses, psychosocial care providers and other members of the multidisciplinary team. This new edition presents a curriculum for nurses, which discusses needs of pre-registration to advanced trainees, including the ‘SAGE & THYME’ training programme, chronic disease, responding to depressed patients, the last hours and days of life, family care, facilitation training, and e-learning. The core curriculum ranges from breaking bad news, discussing risk and prognosis, achieving shared treatment decisions, responding to difficult emotions, dealing with denial, communicating with relatives and conducting a family meeting, helping patients cope with survivorship, deal with recurrence, transition to palliative care, and talk openly about death and dying. Modules offer guidelines about key skills, essential tasks, effective strategies, and scenarios for training sessions with simulated patients. The communication science section covers the history and models of communication skills training, the art of facilitating skill development, ethics, gender, power, the internet, audio-recording significant consultations, decision aides, and shared treatment decisions, medical student training, and enhancing patient participation in consultations. Specialty issues are explored, including enrolling in clinical trials, working in teams, discussing genetic risk, reconstructive and salvage surgery, among many other important issues. Variations in clinical disciplines are also discussed, including chapters for social workers, radiologists, surgical oncologists, medical and radiation oncologists, palliative medicine, pastoral care, pharmacy, paediatrics, and the elderly.

Ambulatory care nurses responding to depression

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony De La Cruz ◽  
Richard F. Brown ◽  
Steve Passik
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Common Occurrence ◽  
Treatment Of Depression ◽  
Patient’S Experience ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Risks Factors

Depression is a common occurrence among cancer patients; however, it goes undetected by healthcare providers in about 50% of cases. Ambulatory nurses are in a key position to identify and respond to a patient’s emotional distress and aid in the detection of patients at risk for or suffering from depression. Programmes in communication skills training have been shown to help nurses detect and respond to patient depression. A model of core communication components consisting of strategies, skills, and process tasks is presented. This model will enable nurses to gain an understanding of the patient’s experience and assist in the recognition and treatment of depression. The results of a pilot programme utilizing this model and skills will also be presented. An overview of the nature of depression and risks factors and barriers to the identification of depression is presented.

The implementation of advanced communication skills training for senior healthcare professionals in Northern Ireland

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Finn ◽  
Emma King ◽  
Susie Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Complex Information ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Affective Components

This chapter describes the key challenges and rewards of the implementation and delivery of a programme of advanced communication skills training (ACST) for senior healthcare professionals working in cancer and palliative care in Northern Ireland (NI). It enables participants to reflect and critically appraise their own and others communication skills and to demonstrate the skills required to facilitate a structured patient-centred assessment/consultation using specific strategies to handle complex communication scenarios. Participants should also be able to tailor complex information to meet the needs of patients and carers. The course is based on an experiential, learner-centred approach, which is known to enhance effective person-centred communication and includes cognitive, behavioural, and affective components. A 2014 analysis of the programme recommends the two-day as opposed to the three-day model for ACST, as no disadvantages have been identified and this programme is better meeting the needs of the participants.

scholarly journals Communication skills training for the radiotherapy team to manage cancer patients’ emotional concerns: a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e025420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mara Myrthe van Beusekom ◽  
Josie Cameron ◽  
Carolyn Bedi ◽  
Elspeth Banks ◽  
Gerald Humphris
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Patient Anxiety ◽  
Positive Effect

ObjectivesMany cancer patients experience high levels of anxiety and concern during radiotherapy, often with long-lasting effects on their well-being. This systematic review aims to describe and determine the effectiveness of communication skills training (CST) for the radiotherapy team (RT) to improve conversations in this setting and to support patients with emotional concerns.DesignSystematic review.InterventionsCST for RT members.Data sourcesOn 17 April 2018, databases Medline, Embase, Scopus and PsycNET were searched.Eligibility criteria, Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome(PICO)Quantitative and/or qualitative articles were included that evaluate the effect of a CST for RT members (vs no CST) on communication behaviours and patients’ emotional concerns.Data extraction and synthesisArticles were appraised using the mixed-methods appraisal tool, and a narrative synthesis was performed.ResultsOf the nine included articles, five were randomised controlled trials, three were mixed-methods and one used repeated measurements. Four of the five different CST programmes managed to increase emotional communicative behaviour from the RT, and all studies measuring patient communicative behaviour found an improvement in at least one of the hypothesised outcomes. Two studies examining patient anxiety and concerns found a positive effect of the CST, although one found a negative effect; two other studies without a positive effect on mood made use of both empathic CST and tools.ConclusionsThere are promising indications that CST can be successfully introduced to improve emotional conversations between RT members and patients. With the right support, the RT can play an important role to help patients cope with their emotional concerns. Future work is necessary to confirm initial promising results and to ensure the learnt communication skills are sustained.

Critical conversations in gynecologic oncology: Pilot study of communication skills training for fellows and advanced practice providers.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 29-29
Author(s):  
Carolyn Lefkowits ◽  
Kerri S. Bevis ◽  
Elise Carey ◽  
Robert Arnold ◽  
Lisa Podgurski
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Gynecologic Oncology ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Surgical Oncology ◽  
Simulated Patients ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Advanced Practice ◽  
Goals Of Care ◽  
Good Communication

29 Background: Good communication is crucial to good patient care. Gynecologic oncology providers often face challenging communication scenarios, including giving serious news and discussing goals of care. Communication skills training (CST) has been shown to improve skill acquisition among providers of multiple specialties, but it has not been described in providers from gynecologic oncology or any surgical oncology specialty. Methods: We conducted a two-day CST workshop, based on the VitalTalk© model, with four faculty members (2 gynecologic oncologists and 2 palliative care physicians) and 10 gynecologic oncology provider participants (5 fellows and 5 advanced practice providers). Using didactics, demonstrations and practice sessions with simulated patients we focused on giving serious news and discussing goals of care. Pre and immediate post-workshop surveys evaluated acceptability of the workshop, perceived impact of preparedness to address challenging communication scenarios and anticipated impact on clinical practice. We compared pre and post-workshop prevalence of score of 4 or 5 out of 5 on a Likert scale for preparedness to handle 14 challenging communication scenarios. Results: Participants reported statistically significant increase in preparedness to handle 13 out of 14 challenging communication scenarios. Among those 13 topics, magnitude of improvement in proportion of participants rating preparedness 4 or 5 out of 5 ranged from 40-100% (all p < 0.05). All participants would recommend the course to others and all strongly agreed that this training should be required of all gynecologic oncology clinicians. Conclusions: Participants felt strongly that the workshop provided high quality education relevant to their practice. As a result of the workshop, participants reported statistically significantly increased preparedness to handle challenging communication scenarios. CST is feasible and has high perceived effectiveness for clinicians in the primarily surgical oncologic specialty of gynecologic oncology.

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