title: Use of and reactions to a tailored CD-ROM designed to enhance oncologist-patient communication: the SCOPE trial intervention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assess use of and reactions to an interactive, tailored CD-ROM to enhance oncologist-patient communication.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participating oncologists (n=48) agreed to have patient interactions audio recorded, be randomly assigned to receive/not receive a CD-ROM, have CD-ROM usage monitored (intervention group) and complete a follow-up survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-one of 24 in the intervention group reported using the CD-ROM. Median usage minutes were 63.8. At follow-up, oncologists rated the CD-ROM from 1 ("none" or "not at all helpful") to 5 ("a great deal" or "very helpful"). Mean responses were: 3.1 and 3.0 for 2 items assessing perceived impact on communications, 3.8-4.0 for 6 items assessing perceived helpfulness, 3.0 and 3.10 for 2 items assessing impact on affecting oncologists' communication with patients and assistance with challenging conversations, respectively, and 3.6 for whether using the CD-ROM was worth their time. Self-report of how much oncologists had used the covered skills before and after intervention showed a perceived increase (2.8 before and 3.2 after).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest the tailored interactive CD-ROM has promise for use and acceptance among oncologists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If ultimately found effective in changing oncologist's communication with patients, the CD-ROM's widespread dissemination should be explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-9066, USA. Celette.Skinner@UTSouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Celette Sugg
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: Kathryn I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Pollak
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: Maren K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Amy S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Jeffreys
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Tulsky