Communication skills training for healthcare professionals working with patients with cancer, their families, and carers.

The review included three RCTs, with a total of 347 healthcare professionals. All studies needed to assess the professionals before and after communication skills training, measuring changes in behavior and skills using objective and validated scales. The RCTs included administration of communication skills training where the control group received usual or alternative training to the intervention group. Participants were qualified healthcare professionals working in all hospital, hospice, and ambulatory care oncology settings. One study provided an intensive threeday course and assessed physicians interacting with 640 patients. Another study provided a modular course and assessed role play among oncology nurses. The third study was modular and assessed outcomes with clinical and simulated interviews and patient questionnaires. Although only three studies were used, the authors felt that training programs appeared to be effective in improving some areas of oncology healthcare professionals’ communication skills. However, the comparative efficacy of the programs or whether the training would be effective if taught by others was unknown.