Towards better communication in cancer care: a framework for developing evidence-based interventions.
Increasing recognition of the complexity and difficulty of communication in patient care has led to a burgeoning but chaotic literature that tends to be incomplete on any one topic. A co-ordinated, planned approach is required to facilitate the rapid development and implementation of evidence-based interventions in this area. We propose a seven-stage model of communication research that is designed to provide clear directions to improve communication in cancer care. The stages are: (1) identification of communication difficulties; (2) documentation of patient and clinician views; (3) identification of practices associated with better outcomes; (4) the development of evidence-based guidelines and interventions; (5) testing the effectiveness of the intervention in changing current practice and improving patient outcomes; (6) dissemination of the effective interventions; and (7) broad adoption of the intervention. Examples are provided for each stage of research to elucidate the type of study proposed.
Schofield
Penelope E
PE
Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute, Locked Bag 1, A'Beckett Street, Victoria 8006, Australia. penelope.schofield@petermac.org
Butow
Phyllis N
PN
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D003625:Data Collection; D004282:Documentation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D008960:Models, Psychological; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010934:Planning Techniques; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration