title: Training oncology and palliative care clinical nurse specialists in psychological skills: evaluation of a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  National guidelines in the United Kingdom recommend training Clinical Nurse Specialists in psychological skills to improve the assessment and intervention with psychological problems experienced by people with a cancer diagnosis (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2004). This pilot study evaluated a three-day training program combined with supervision sessions from Clinical Psychologists that focused on developing skills in psychological assessment and intervention for common problems experienced by people with cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were developed to measure participants' levels of confidence in 15 competencies of psychological skills. Participants completed these prior to the program and on completion of the program. Summative evaluation was undertaken and results were compared. In addition, a focus group interview provided qualitative data of participants' experiences of the structure, process, and outcomes of the program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following the program, participants rated their confidence in psychological assessment and skills associated with providing psychological support as having increased in all areas. This included improved knowledge of psychological theories, skills in assessment and intervention and accessing and using supervision appropriately. The largest increase was in providing psycho-education to support the coping strategies of patients and carers. Thematic analysis of interview data identified two main themes including learning experiences and program enhancements. The significance of the clinical supervision sessions as key learning opportunities, achieved through the development of a community of practice, emerged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although this pilot study has limitations, the results suggest that a combined teaching and supervision program is effective in improving Clinical Nurse Specialists' confidence level in specific psychological skills. Participants' experiences highlighted suggestions for refinement and development of the program. Opportunities for further research and developments in this area are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Health Psychology,St James's University Hospital,Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust,Leeds,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: Department of Healthcare Psychology,Airedale Hospital,Bradford District Care Trust,Keighley,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aitken
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Health Psychology,Mid Yorkshire NHS Hospitals Trust,Wakefield,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: Cancer Psychology Service,Cancer Care Centre,York Hospital,York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust,York,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McVey
authors.affiliation: Psychological Services Department,Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust,Bradford,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Helbert
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Health Psychology,Mid Yorkshire NHS Hospitals Trust,Dewsbury,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wraith
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing,School of Health Studies,University of Bradford,Bradford,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Health Psychology,St James's University Hospital, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust,Leeds,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Catesby
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D017144:Focus Groups; D064946:Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education*; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011580:Psychological Techniques / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Cancer; Distress; Psychological; Supervision; Training