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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 September 2010

Michelle N. Grainger ,
Sue Hegarty ,
Penelope Schofield ,
Vicki White  and
Michael Jefford
Michelle N. Grainger
Affiliation:
Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
Sue Hegarty
Affiliation:
Cancer Information and Support Service, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
Penelope Schofield
Affiliation:
Nursing and Supportive Care Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Vicki White
Affiliation:
Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
Michael Jefford*
Affiliation:
Cancer Information and Support Service, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia Nursing and Supportive Care Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Michael Jefford, Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Locked Bag 1, A'Beckett Street, Victoria, 8006, Australia. E-mail: michael.jefford@petermac.org
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Abstract

Objective:

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.

Keywords

CancerPalliative careCommunication trainingDoctor Patient Communication
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 8 , Issue 4 , December 2010 , pp. 441 - 447
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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