The implementation and evaluation of a communication skills training program for oncology nurses Journal Article


Authors: Banerjee, S. C.; Manna, R.; Coyle, N.; Penn, S.; Gallegos, T. E.; Zaider, T.; Krueger, C. A.; Bialer, P. A.; Bylund, C. L.; Parker, P. A.
Article Title: The implementation and evaluation of a communication skills training program for oncology nurses
Abstract: Many nurses express difficulty in communicating with their patients, especially in oncology settings where there are numerous challenges and high-stake decisions during the course of diagnosis and treatment. Providing specific training in communication skills is one way to enhance the communication between nurses and their patients. We developed and implemented a communication skills training program for nurses, consisting of three teaching modules: responding empathically to patients; discussing death, dying, and end-of-life goals of care; and responding to challenging interactions with families. Training included didactic and experiential small group role plays. This paper presents results on program evaluation, self-efficacy, and behavioral demonstration of learned communication skills. Three hundred forty-two inpatient oncology nurses participated in a 1-day communication skills training program and completed course evaluations, self-reports, and pre- and post-standardized patient assessments. Participants rated the training favorably, and they reported significant gains in self-efficacy in their ability to communicate with patients in various contexts. Participants also demonstrated significant improvement in several empathic skills, as well as in clarifying skill. Our work demonstrates that implementation of a nurse communication skills training program at a major cancer center is feasible and acceptable and has a significant impact on participants' self-efficacy and uptake of communication skills.
Keywords: nursing; oncology; communication skills training; perceptions; families; breast-cancer patients; care; self-efficacy; challenges; standardized; of-life; patient assessments; module
Journal Title: Translational Behavioral Medicine
Volume: 7
Issue: 3
ISSN: 1869-6716
Publisher: Springer  
Date Published: 2017-09-01
Start Page: 615
End Page: 623
Language: English
ACCESSION: WOS:000418893900026
DOI: 10.1007/s13142-017-0473-5
PROVIDER: wos
PMCID: PMC5645276
PUBMED: 28211000
Notes: Article -- Source: Wos
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. Philip A Bialer
    40 Bialer
  2. Smita Banerjee
    124 Banerjee
  3. Nessa M Coyle
    123 Coyle
  4. Talia I Zaider
    57 Zaider
  5. Ruth Danielle Jozef Manna
    32 Manna
  6. Stacey Penn
    7 Penn
  7. Patricia Ann Parker
    91 Parker