Feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of empathic communication skills training to reduce lung cancer stigma in Nigeria: A pilot study Journal Article
| Authors: | Banerjee, S. C.; Asuzu, C.; Mapayi, B.; Olunloyo, B.; Odiaka, E.; Daramola, O. B.; Gilliland, J.; Owoade, I. A.; Kingham, P.; Alatise, O. I.; Fitzgerald, G.; Kahn, R.; Olcese, C.; Ostroff, J. S. |
| Article Title: | Feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of empathic communication skills training to reduce lung cancer stigma in Nigeria: A pilot study |
| Abstract: | Effective communication about cancer diagnosis and prognosis in sub-Saharan African oncology settings is often challenged by the cancer-related shame and stigma patients and families experience. Enhancing empathic communication between health care providers, including physicians and nurses, and oncology patients and their families can not only reduce cancer stigma but also improve patient engagement, treatment satisfaction, and quality of life. To reduce lung cancer stigma, we adapted an evidence-based empathic communication skills training intervention to reduce patients' experience of stigma in Nigeria and conducted a pilot study examining the feasibility and acceptability of the empathic communication skills training. Thirty health care providers, recruited from University College Hospital, Ibadan, and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, participated in a 2.25-hour didactic and experiential training session. Participant surveys were completed before and after the training. Overall, participants reported highly favorable training evaluations, with at least 85% of health care providers agreeing or strongly agreeing to survey items assessing training relevance, novelty, clarity, and facilitator effectiveness. Self-efficacy to communicate empathically with patients increased significantly from before-Training (Mean [SD] = 3.93 [0.28]) to after-Training (Mean [SD] = 4.55 [0.15]; t29 = 3.51, P <. 05). Significant improvements were observed in health care provider reports of empathy toward lung cancer survivors and attitude toward lung cancer care as well as significant reductions in lung cancer blame were noted. The empathic communication skills training was feasible, well received by oncology clinicians in Nigeria, and demonstrated improvements in health care provider-reported outcomes from before-to after-Training. © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. |
| Keywords: | adult; clinical article; lung cancer; cancer survivor; training; pilot study; empathy; communication skill; attitude; self concept; stigma; emotional stress; burnout; nigeria; human; male; female; article; depersonalization |
| Journal Title: | Journal of the National Cancer Institute - Monographs |
| Volume: | 2024 |
| Issue: | 63 |
| ISSN: | 1052-6773 |
| Publisher: | Oxford University Press |
| Date Published: | 2024-06-01 |
| Start Page: | 30 |
| End Page: | 37 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgae006 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PUBMED: | 38836528 |
| PMCID: | PMC12104141 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) acknowledged in PDF -- MSK corresponding author is Smita Banerjee -- Source: Scopus |
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