Discussing the transition to palliative care: evaluation of a brief communication skills training program for oncology clinicians.
OBJECTIVE
Discussing the transition from active anti-cancer treatment to palliative care can be difficult for cancer patients and oncology health professionals (OHP). We developed a brief communication skills workshop to assist OHP with these conversations, and examined satisfaction with the workshop and perceived confidence regarding these discussions.


METHODS
Interactive workshops were conducted by trained facilitators and included cognitive, behavioral, and experiential components. The major component of the workshop involved role-plays with trained actors (simulated patients). Participants completed an evaluation questionnaire.


RESULTS
Sixty-two OHP participated in workshops. Overall, participants were highly satisfied with the workshop content and format. All participants felt the workshop provided relevant practical information, and > 80% thought that participation benefited their work. Over 98% said that the workshop had increased confidence in their communication skills.


CONCLUSIONS
Participants were very satisfied with the workshop, and thought that participation increased confidence in communicating about the transition to palliative care. Dissemination of this model of communication skills training seems warranted.
Grainger
Michelle N
MN
Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
Hegarty
Sue
S
Schofield
Penelope
P
White
Vicki
V
Jefford
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003142:Communication; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011361:Professional Competence; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires