Morasso, G., Caruso, A., Belbusti, V., Carucci, T., Chiorri, C., Clavarezza, V., . . . Di Leo, S. (2015). Improving physicians' communication skills and reducing cancer patients' anxiety: A quasi-experimental study. Tumori, 101, 131–137.
To determine the effectiveness of a physician-centered communication skills training program on anxiety levels in patients with cancer. A three-phrase, multicenter, quasi-experimental study was used.
The intervention phase of the study invited physician participants in the treatment group to attend a skills program to improve communications knowledge and strategies. The intent of the communications training was to improve communication with patients with cancer and families. The training sessions, taught by psycho-oncologists, were held at each study center and were scheduled in three-hour sessions for three weeks to total nine hours of training. Each physician participant was emailed relevant scientific papers (two published, one unpublished) five days in advance of each three-hour session. The treatment group physician participants were asked to read the materials in preparation for sharing during the training. Each session included didactic, experiential learning, and group discussion including clinical cases and role play. There was no communications training for physician participants from the control group.
Multi-center, quasi-experimental, three-phase study. Of note, the phases of the study, as described, are not phases as used in North American scientific study. Rather, they are components of the methodology. Specifically, the authors describe phase 1 as recruitment, phase 2 as intervention, and phase 3 is evaluation.
Suggestion of effectiveness of a communication skills training program with reference to patient anxiety levels. Further research needed.
Implications were difficult to ascertain because the intervention was physician-based. The authors indicated a need to explore if nurse training in communication would be beneficial. Also discussed was the difference in communication styles between oncologists and oncology nurses and the effect on anxiety.