title: Mandatory communication skills training for oncologists: enforcement does not substantially impact satisfaction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Even though there is evidence that both patients and oncology clinicians are affected by the quality of communication and that communication skills can be effectively trained, so-called Communication Skills Trainings (CSTs) remain heterogeneously implemented.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic evaluation of the level of satisfaction of oncologists with the Swiss CST before (2000-2005) and after (2006-2012) it became mandatory.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Levels of satisfaction with the CST were high, and satisfaction of physicians participating on a voluntary or mandatory basis did not significantly differ for the majority of the items.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evaluation of physicians' satisfaction over the years and after introduction of mandatory training supports recommendations for generalized implementation of CST and mandatory training for medical oncologists.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatric Liaison Service, Lausanne University Hospital, Bugnon 44, 1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bourquin
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stiefel
authors.forename: Jürg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernhard
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bianchi Micheli
authors.forename: Liselotte
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dietrich
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hürny
authors.forename: Brigitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wössmer
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kiss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations
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