Training facilitators to deliver an advanced communication course for senior healthcare professionals in cancer and palliative care

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susie Wilkinson ◽  
Anita Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Communication Course ◽  
Training Course ◽  
Training And Support ◽  
Positive Effect

This chapter presents a communication skills training initiative designed to train facilitators to deliver an advanced communication skills training course for senior healthcare professionals working in cancer and palliative care. It is generally accepted that communication skills training benefits healthcare professionals. However, little has been written about the training and support of those healthcare professionals who deliver this training. The chapter describes the content, process, and guidelines trainee facilitators explore while learning to deliver the experiential learner-centred advanced communication skills training course for senior healthcare professionals working in oncology or palliative care. The teaching methods presented include group safety, agenda setting, didactic methods, the use of trigger tapes, working with actors, and video-recorded role play with feedback. The facilitator training course was evaluated across six UK settings and had a positive effect on the participants’ perceived confidence in delivering communication skills training.

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.

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.

Responding to patient anger: Development and evaluation of an oncology communication skills training module

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip A. Bialer ◽  
David Kissane ◽  
Richard Brown ◽  
Tomer Levin ◽  
Carma Bylund
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Course Satisfaction ◽  
Communication Skills Training ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Training Module ◽  
Physician Relationship

AbstractObjective:The purpose of this study was to develop a communication skills training (CST) module for oncology healthcare professionals on how to more effectively respond to patient anger. We also sought to evaluate the module in terms of participant self-efficacy and satisfaction.Method:The development of this module was based on a systematic review of the literature and followed the Comskil model previously used for other doctor–patient CST. Using an anonymous 5-point Likert scale, participants rated their pre-post self-efficacy in responding to patient anger as well as their satisfaction with the course. Data were analyzed using a paired sample t test.Results:During the academic years 2006–2009, 275 oncology healthcare professionals participated in a CST that focused on responding to patient anger. Participants' confidence in responding to patient anger increased significantly (p < 0.001) after attending the workshop. They also agreed or strongly agreed to five out of six items assessing course satisfaction 92–97% of the time.Significance of results:We have developed a CST module on how to respond to patient anger, which is both effective and useful. Training healthcare professionals to respond more effectively to patient anger may have a positive impact on the patient–physician relationship.

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