Improving patient emotional functioning and psychological morbidity: evaluation of a consultation skills training program for oncologists.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether a consultation skills training (CST) program with oncologists and trainees would improve skills in detecting and responding to patient distress, thereby improving their patients' emotional functioning and reducing psychological distress.


METHODS
Randomized-controlled trial with 29 medical and radiation oncologists from Australia randomized to CST group (n=15) or usual-care group (n=14). The CST consisted of a 1.5-day face-to-face workshop incorporating presentation of principles, a DVD modelling ideal behaviour and role-play practice, and four 1.5h monthly video-conferences. At the CST conclusion, patients of participating doctors were recruited (n=192 in CST group, n=183 in usual-care group), completing telephone surveys at baseline, 1 week and 3 months to assess quality of life, anxiety, depression and unmet psychosocial needs.


RESULTS
Despite high patient functioning at baseline, anxiety significantly improved at 1-week follow-up in the CST group, compared to the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in emotional functioning, depression or unmet supportive care need between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Consistent trends for greater improvements were observed in intervention compared to control group patients, suggesting the CST program deserves wider evaluation.


CONCLUSIONS
Video-conferencing after a short training course may be an effective strategy for delivering CST.
Girgis
Afaf
A
Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology, The Cancer Council NSW, University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, Room 230A, Level 2 David Maddison Building, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. afaf.girgis@newcastle.edu.au
Cockburn
Jill
J
Butow
Phyllis
P
Bowman
Deborah
D
Schofield
Penelope
P
Stojanovski
Elizabeth
E
D'Este
Catherine
C
Tattersall
Martin H N
MH
Doran
Christopher
C
Turner
Jane
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety; D001315:Australia; D002983:Clinical Competence; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003863:Depression; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000193:education; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D049269:Videoconferencing; D055815:Young Adult