Is it possible to improve communication around radiotherapy delivery: A randomized study to assess the efficacy of team training?

Abstract

a b s t r a c tBackground and purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a 38-h communication skills training program designed for multidisciplinary radiotherapy teams. Materials and methods: Four radiotherapy teams were randomly assigned to a training program or to a waiting list. Assessments were scheduled at baseline (T1) and then after the training was completed or four months later (T2), respectively. Communication around radiotherapy delivery was assessed based on audio recordings of the first and last radiotherapy sessions in order to assess team members' communication skills and the expression of concerns by breast cancer patients (analyzed with content analysis software LaComm). Results: 198 radiotherapy sessions were recorded. During the first radiotherapy sessions, members of the trained teams exhibited more assessment skills (p = 0.048), provided more setting information (p < 0.001), and used more social words (p = 0.019) compared to the members of the untrained teams. During the last radiotherapy session, members of the trained teams used more assessment skills (p = 0.004) and patients interacting with members of the trained teams expressed more sadness words (p = 0.023). Conclusion: Training of multidisciplinary teams has the potential to transfer skills that affect the short exchanges that take place around radiotherapy delivery.

Communication skills training for the radiotherapy team to manage cancer patients’ emotional concerns: a systematic review

“…Four articles included radiation therapists in the training programme,20–22 26 three included various members of the RT, including secretaries, nurses, physicians and physicists,23–25 one article included nurses and radiographers27 and another targeted radiation oncologists 28. The number of staff included ranged between n=420 and n=465 25. In most studies,20 21 23–26 effects of the training intervention for staff were evaluated looking at communication with breast cancer patients.…”

“…In most studies,20 21 23–26 effects of the training intervention for staff were evaluated looking at communication with breast cancer patients. The number of patient participants included in the articles ranged between n=1220 and n=313 25. Two articles included patients with a variety of cancer types, including breast, urological, gynaecological, head and neck, brain and lung cancer 27 28.…”

“…Halkett and colleagues saw that some of the positive effects of their intervention were short lasting 21. Strategies used to promote the transfer of communication skills into the clinical setting included holding a follow-up ‘consolidation workshop’25 or for members of the RT to regularly perform self-analysis of consultations 26. Having trainers provide feedback on posttraining consultations20 28 appeared to be particularly helpful.…”

“…The majority of the newly acquired communication skills from the members of the RT were applied to standard care sessions with patients,22 24 25 28 including the initial consultation with the radiation oncologist,28 the radiotherapy planning session,24 throughout radiotherapy treatment22 or during the first and last radiotherapy session 25. On the other hand, communication skills acquired in the ‘RT prepare’ and ‘eliciting and responding to emotional cues’ programmes20 21 26 were delivered in a separate session with the patient, one prior to the radiotherapy planning session and a second session prior to the start of treatment.…”

Implementing web-based ping-pong-type e-communication to enhance staff satisfaction, multidisciplinary cooperation, and clinical effectiveness

“…Many methods have been proved as useful tools for facilitating multidisciplinary communication, such as well-designed training courses [ 8 , 9 ] and visually based practice. [ 10 , 11 ] In this regard, a well-designed information system with an e-communication function is useful in enhancing interdisciplinary communication.…”