Formative assessment of oncology trainees' communication with cancer patients about internet information.
OBJECTIVE
Cancer patients and their caregivers often turn to the internet for information and support following a cancer diagnosis. Research shows a need for improvement in doctors' communication with patients about internet information. The purpose of this formative assessment was to evaluate oncology trainees' skills in talking about internet information with cancer patients.


METHODS
Thirty-nine oncology trainees were evaluated in a baseline standardized patient assessment as part of their participation in the Comskil Training Program. As part of the assessment, standardized patients were instructed to raise the topic of internet information they had read. Transcriptions of the video-recorded assessments were coded for patient statements and trainee responses.


RESULTS
Fifty-six percent of trainees used a probe to get more information before addressing the content of the internet search, while 18% addressed it immediately. Eighteen percent of trainees warned the patient about using the internet, and 8% warned about and also encouraged internet use. Thirteen percent of trainees praised the patient for seeking out information on the internet.


CONCLUSIONS
This formative assessment indicated that the majority of trainees addressed the content of the internet search, while a minority addressed the internet as a tool and praised patients' efforts. Research in this area should examine the effectiveness of educational interventions for trainees to improve discussions about internet information.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center,New York, New York.
Carma L
CL
Bylund
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center,New York, New York.
Miryam
M
Sperka
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center,New York, New York.
Thomas A
TA
D'Agostino
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D020407:Internet; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations
Cancer communication