PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Effective communication in cancer care requires complex communication skills of healthcare professionals (HCPs), which can be advanced by communication skills training (CST). The number of empirical studies on CST has grown steadily over the last decade. However, controversies on CST abound. The aim of this review of reviews is to summarize evidence for the effectiveness of CST in oncology as well as for effective CST features (intensity, format and content) and to synthesize the current opinion on CST.
RECENT FINDINGS: The evidence synthesized from multiple reviews supported the effect of CST on HCPs' communication skills. Yet, the certainty of evidence was limited as studies were diverse and effects heterogeneous. Furthermore, limited evidence was found for effective CST intensity, format and content. Authors of the reviews advocated further high-quality research with robust outcome measurement to establish the most essential features of CST and recommended implementation of CST in the standard training of HCPs with continuous supervision.
SUMMARY: CST can probably improve some aspects of HCPs' communication skills. Despite the uncertain evidence, implementation of CST into clinical practice is widely advocated and specific recommendations regarding intensity and format are provided. Evidence to justify and substantiate implementation efforts is needed.
Síntesis amplia/ Revisión panorámica de revisiones sistemáticas
OBJETIVO: Los médicos necesitan buenas habilidades de comunicación para comunicarse de manera efectiva con los pacientes. El objetivo de esta revisión fue identificar las estrategias eficaces de formación para la enseñanza de habilidades de comunicación para médicos calificados. MÉTODOS: PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL y Cochrane se realizaron búsquedas en octubre de 2008 y en marzo de 2009. Dos autores seleccionaron de forma independiente las revisiones pertinentes y evaluaron su calidad metodológica con AMSTAR. Las tablas de resumen se construyeron para datos de síntesis, y los resultados se relacionaron con medidas de resultado. Como resultado, se pueden extraer conclusiones acerca de la eficacia de las estrategias de desarrollo de aptitudes de comunicación para los médicos. RESULTADOS: Doce revisiones sistemáticas sobre los programas de desarrollo de aptitudes de comunicación para los médicos fueron identificados. Algunos se centraron en las estrategias de formación específicos, mientras que otros hicieron hincapié en un enfoque más general con estrategias mixtas. Los programas de entrenamiento fueron eficaces si se prolongaran durante al menos un día, había centrado en el alumno, y se centró en la práctica de habilidades. Las mejores estrategias de formación dentro de los programas que incorpora el juego de roles, retroalimentación y discusiones en grupos pequeños. CONCLUSIÓN: Los programas de capacitación deben incluir estrategias activas, orientadas a la práctica. presentaciones orales sobre las habilidades de comunicación, modelación y la información escrita sólo deben utilizarse como estrategias de apoyo. IMPLICACIONES PARA LA PRÁCTICA: Para poder comparar la eficacia de los programas de formación más fácilmente en el futuro, un acuerdo general sobre las medidas de resultado tiene que ser establecida.
Effective communication in cancer care requires complex communication skills of healthcare professionals (HCPs), which can be advanced by communication skills training (CST). The number of empirical studies on CST has grown steadily over the last decade. However, controversies on CST abound. The aim of this review of reviews is to summarize evidence for the effectiveness of CST in oncology as well as for effective CST features (intensity, format and content) and to synthesize the current opinion on CST.
RECENT FINDINGS:
The evidence synthesized from multiple reviews supported the effect of CST on HCPs' communication skills. Yet, the certainty of evidence was limited as studies were diverse and effects heterogeneous. Furthermore, limited evidence was found for effective CST intensity, format and content. Authors of the reviews advocated further high-quality research with robust outcome measurement to establish the most essential features of CST and recommended implementation of CST in the standard training of HCPs with continuous supervision.
SUMMARY:
CST can probably improve some aspects of HCPs' communication skills. Despite the uncertain evidence, implementation of CST into clinical practice is widely advocated and specific recommendations regarding intensity and format are provided. Evidence to justify and substantiate implementation efforts is needed.
Síntesis amplia»Revisión panorámica de revisiones sistemáticas
