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Evaluation of an educational program to improve communication with patients about early-phase trial participation

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 11:21 authored by Lesley FallowfieldLesley Fallowfield, I Solis-Trapala, Valerie JenkinsValerie Jenkins
AbstractBackground. Discussing early-phase cancer trials is challenging; most offer little personal benefit to patients with life-limiting illnesses who frequently have a poor understanding of and misconceptions about the therapeutic aims. We evaluated an evidence-based training program aimed at enhancing communication.Methods. Prior to and after the intervention, 47 health care professionals (HCPs) experienced in early-phase trial recruitment were audio taped discussing trials with patient simulators who completed postinterview evaluations. Coders rated the interviews for the presence of information areas required to elicit ethical consent. HCPs reported their self-confidence on 15 different aspects of trial discussion.Results. Significant objective and subjective improvements in communication were found after the workshop. Analyses of audio tapes showed positive shifts in: establishing the patient's knowledge of their prognosis (odds ratio [OR], 2.7; p = .002), discussing symptomatic care (OR, 3.8; p < .001), the aims of the trial (OR, 2.6; p =.002), and the unlikelihood of medical benefit (OR, 3.0; p = .021). Patient simulator ratings showed improvements in: the awareness of palliative care and symptom control (OR, 2.1; p = .004), the voluntariness of participation (OR, 3.7; p = .015), the opportunity to ask questions (OR, 2.9; p = .044), and the time to consider participation (OR, 6.1; p = .009). HCPs' self-confidence increased significantly for all 15 items (OR range, 1.5-2.9; p

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Oncologist

ISSN

1083-7159

Publisher

AlphaMed Press

Issue

3

Volume

17

Page range

377-383

Department affiliated with

  • Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C) Publications

Notes

Journal article The oncologist Oncologist. 2012 Mar 1.

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-04-18

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