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Libert Y, Peternelj L, Bragard I, Liénard A, Merckaert I, Reynaert C, Razavi D. Communication about uncertainty and hope: A randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of a communication skills training program for physicians caring for cancer patients. BMC Cancer 2017; 17:476. [PMID: 28693515 PMCID: PMC5504708 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-017-3437-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although previous studies have reported the efficacy of communication skills training (CST) programs, specific training addressing communication about uncertainty and hope in oncology has not yet been studied. This paper describes the study protocol of a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of a CST program aimed at improving physician ability to communicate about uncertainty and hope in encounters with cancer patients. Methods/design Physician participants will be randomly assigned in groups (n = 3/group) to a 30-h CST program (experimental group) or to a waiting list (control group). The training program will include learner-centered, skills-focused, practice-oriented techniques. Training efficacy is assessed in the context of an encounter with a simulated advanced stage cancer patient at baseline and after the CST for the experimental group, and after four months for the waiting-list group. Efficacy assessments will include communicational, psychological and physiological measures. Group-by-time effects will be analyzed using a generalized estimating equation (GEE). A power analysis indicated that a sample size of 60 (30 experimental and 30 control) participants will be sufficient to detect effects. Discussion The current study will aid in the development of effective CST programs to improve physician ability to communicate about uncertainty and hope in encounters with cancer patients. Trial registration US Clinical Trials Register NCT02836197.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Libert
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculté des Sciences Psychologiques et de l'Éducation, Av. F. Roosevelt, 50 (CP 191), 1050, Brussels, Belgium. .,Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Livia Peternelj
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculté des Sciences Psychologiques et de l'Éducation, Av. F. Roosevelt, 50 (CP 191), 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Isabelle Bragard
- Université de Liège, Faculté des Sciences Psychologiques et de l'Éducation, Liège, Belgium
| | - Aurore Liénard
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculté des Sciences Psychologiques et de l'Éducation, Av. F. Roosevelt, 50 (CP 191), 1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Merckaert
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculté des Sciences Psychologiques et de l'Éducation, Av. F. Roosevelt, 50 (CP 191), 1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christine Reynaert
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Faculté de Médecine, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Darius Razavi
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculté des Sciences Psychologiques et de l'Éducation, Av. F. Roosevelt, 50 (CP 191), 1050, Brussels, Belgium.,Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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