title: Evaluation of a pilot communication skills training intervention for minority cancer patients.
abstract: The aim of this study was to pilot test in a minority cancer patient population a communication workshop to improve doctor-patient communication skills. Thirty-two patients participated. Eighteen evaluated a face-to-face workshop, while 14 completed surveys only. Participants in the workshop group completed the Patient Report of Communication Behavior (PRCB) before and after the workshop and a course evaluation. Participants did not differ on baseline PRCB scores. Posttest scores were significantly higher than pretest scores (p < 0.01). All participants agreed or strongly agreed that they would use the communication skills; 93% agreed or strongly agreed that the skills would improve their health care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 641 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, USA. bylundlc@mskcc.org
authors.forename: Carma L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Bylund
authors.forename: Elliott J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Goytia
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: D'Agostino
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bulone
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horner
authors.forename: Yuelin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kemeny
authors.forename: Jamie S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Ostroff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003142:Communication; D004493:Education / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation