title: Evaluation of psycho-social training for speech therapists in oncology. Impact on general communication skills and empathy. A qualitative pilot study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a psychosocial training programme for speech therapists on their performance skills in patient-therapist communication in general and empathy in particular. Twenty-three speech therapists were interviewed in a pseudo-randomised controlled trial. Communication skills were tested using questionnaires with open questions. Respondents were asked to find adequate replies to clinical vignettes. The vignettes briefly described a patient's physical state and contained a statement from the patient expressing some distress. Answers were coded with qualitative content analysis. Communication skills improved considerably in terms of frequency of conducive communication (especially empathy) and width of conducive communicative repertoire. Negative communication preferences were reduced. Psychosocial training for speech therapists can improve communication skills manifestly and is therefore recommended for further use.
authors.affiliation: Department for Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Leipzig University, Faculty of Medicine, Phillip-Rosenthal-Str 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. peter.ullrich@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ullrich
authors.forename: Dorit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wollbrück
authors.forename: Helge
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Danker
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003625:Data Collection; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D013070:Speech Therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires