Communication Skills Training for Professionals Working with Adolescent Patients with Cancer Based on Participants' Needs: A Pilot

Abstract

Purpose:

We aimed to pilot and evaluate communication skills training (CST) for health care professionals (HCPs) interacting with adolescent patients with cancer and their parents based on participants' needs.

Methods:

We developed and piloted a 2-day CST with physicians and nurses in adolescent oncology. The CST's agenda was determined by the critical incidents reported by the participants. Training consisted of experiential learning based on role-play between HCPs and simulated patients and parents. Whenever suited, short lectures were given on specific communication techniques. Skills were self-assessed by questionnaires before, immediately after, and 6 months after training. We compared the proportion of participants who felt confident in 19 predefined areas of difficult communication before and 6 months after training. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed qualitatively by thematic analysis.

Results:

Twenty-six physicians and 24 nurses participated in 6 CSTs. The proportion of participants who felt confident increased significantly in 6 of 19 communication items (p < 0.05). Positive feedback outweighed negative in quantity and quality. Predominant themes immediately after training were the training's practical orientation and intensity, and 6 months later, increased self-confidence and applied communication techniques. Participants noted that the effect diminishes with time, and expressed their need for booster trainings.

Conclusion:

The results of CST tailored to the specific needs of HCPs in adolescent oncology were promising. We suggest that similar training opportunities are implemented elsewhere.