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- Title
Enduring impact of communication skills training: results of a 12-month follow-up.
- Authors
Faiiowfieid, L.; Jenkins, V.; Farewell, V.; Solis-Trapala, I.
- Abstract
The efficacy of a communication skills training programme was shown through a randomised trial. Oncologists (N=160) from 34 cancer centres were allocated to written feedback plus course; course alone; written feedback alone or control. Each clinician had 6?-?10 interviews with patients videotaped at baseline and 3 months postintervention. Analysis of videotapes revealed improvements in the communication skills of clinicians randomised to training (n=80) compared with others (n=80). A 12-month follow-up assessment is reported here. Robust Poisson conditional analyses of counts of changes in communication behaviours revealed no demonstrable attrition in those who had shown improvement previously, including fewer leading questions, appropriate use of focused and open-ended questions and responses to patient cues. Additional skills, not apparent at 3 months, were now evident; the estimated effect sizes corresponded to 81% fewer interruptions (P=0.001) and increased summarising of information to 38% (P=0.038). However, expressions of empathy (54%, P=0.001) declined. The overall results show that 12?-?15 months postintervention, clinicians had integrated key communication skills into clinical practice and were applying others. This is the first RCT to show an enduring effect of communication skills training with transfer into the clinic.British Journal of Cancer (2003) 89, 1445-1449. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6601309 www.bjcancer.com
- Publication
British Journal of Cancer, 2003, Vol 89, Issue 8, p1445
- ISSN
0007-0920
- Publication type
Academic Journal
- DOI
10.1038/sj.bjc.6601309