Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/43114

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Title
Increasing oncologists' skills in eliciting and responding to emotional cues: evaluation of a communication skills training program
Author/Creator
Butow, Phyllis;  Cockburn, Jill;  Girgis, Afaf;  Bowman, Deborah;  Schofield, Penelope;  D'Este, Catherine;  Stojanovski, Elizabeth;  Tattersall, Martin H. N.
Institution
The University of Newcastle. Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health
Description
Purpose: Psychological morbidity in cancer patients is common, but often undetected and untreated. We developed a communication skills training (CST) program targeting this issue, and evaluated its impact on doctor behaviour. Patients and Methods: Thirty of 35 oncologists from six teaching hospitals in six Australian cities, participated. The CST was a 1.5-day intensive face-to-face workshop incorporating presentation of principles, a DVD modelling ideal behaviour and role-play practice, followed by four 1.5 h monthly video-conferences incorporating role-play of doctor-generated scenarios. Doctors were randomized to receive the CST or not. Simulated patient interviews were videotaped and coded at baseline, after CST and 6 months later. Doctors completed questionnaires assessing stress and burnout at the same time points. Results: Doctors in the intervention group displayed more creating environment and fewer blocking behaviours at both follow-ups; however, these differences did not reach statistical significance. Intervention doctors valued the training highly, but did not report substantial reductions in stress and burnout. Conclusions: This short training programme demonstrated a positive effect on aspects of doctor behaviour. Video-conferencing after a short training course may be an effective strategy for delivering CST.
Relation
Psycho-Oncology Vol. 17, Issue 3, p. 209-218
Publisher Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pon.1217
Date
2008
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Keyword(s)
cancer;  oncology;  communication skills;  eliciting and responding to emotion;  randomised-controlled trial
Resource Type
journal article
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/43114
Identifier
ISSN:1057-9249
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Subject
"Psycho-Oncology"
 
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