title: Teaching communication skills: an AACE survey of oncology training programs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The extent of communication skills training (CST) in American oncology fellowship programs is unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was sent to program directors of medical oncology, radiation oncology, gynecologic oncology, and surgical oncology training programs regarding (1) the presence and method(s) of CST in their programs, (2) their attitude about mandatory CST, and (3) their attitude about a mandatory assessment of communication skills competence as a prerequisite for specialty certification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only a third of programs contained some form of CST. Surgical oncology programs were particularly lacking. Lack of faculty time was cited as the major barrier to implementing CST. A majority of program directors support mandatory CST but not a core competence requirement for certification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a current deficiency in CST in American oncology fellowship training. Given the importance of communication skills in the provision of high-quality cancer care, initiatives to address this deficiency are a priority.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology-Oncology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New Hyde Park, NY 11040, USA. mhoffma@lij.edu
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferri
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sison
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roter
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schapira
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Baile
mesh_terms: D016251:CD-ROM; D002568:Certification; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003142:Communication; D003479:Curriculum; D003625:Data Collection; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000193:education; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States