INTRODUCTION: Communication skills are a cornerstone in cancer care. Several studies have examined the effects of different kind of workshops on communication both among physicians and nurses. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of a 2-day workshop directed to nurses involved in cancer care, within a Community Psycho-Oncology Program in Ferrara (Italy). METHODS: 141 nurses participated in the workshop consisting of 2 modules (12 hours) and involving formal teaching (large-group presentations), interactive sessions (discussion of video-clips taken from movies dealing with cancer) and practice (exercises and role-play in small groups). Before and after the workshop, participants were given the following instruments: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Psychosocial Belief Scale (PBS), Self-Confidence in Communication Skills (SCCS), Expected Outcomes of Communication (EOC). RESULTS: Participants showed an improvement in their confidence in communication with cancer patients (SCCS) (53.66 ± 14.11 vs 62.23 ± 13.6, p < 0.001), a reduction in negative expected outcome of communication (EOC) (5.35 ± .93 vs 5.86 ± 1, p < 0.001), an improvement of psychosocial orientation towards patients (84.81 ± 11.73 vs 77.7 ± 12.2, p < 0.001), a reduction in burnout scores, specifically emotional exhaustion (17.42 ± 10.8 vs 14.72 ± 10.2, p < 0.001) and depersonalization (5.1 ± 4.5 vs 4 ± 3.9, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: The training method used in this study showed positive short-term effects on several variables related to communication in cancer care. Routine training of nurses and consolidation of communication skills is mandatory in cancer settings.
Short-term effects of a 2-day workshop on communication skills: a study among oncology nurses
SABATO, Silvana;ROSSI, Elena;MAGRI, Vanessa;GRASSI, Luigi
2006
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Communication skills are a cornerstone in cancer care. Several studies have examined the effects of different kind of workshops on communication both among physicians and nurses. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of a 2-day workshop directed to nurses involved in cancer care, within a Community Psycho-Oncology Program in Ferrara (Italy). METHODS: 141 nurses participated in the workshop consisting of 2 modules (12 hours) and involving formal teaching (large-group presentations), interactive sessions (discussion of video-clips taken from movies dealing with cancer) and practice (exercises and role-play in small groups). Before and after the workshop, participants were given the following instruments: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Psychosocial Belief Scale (PBS), Self-Confidence in Communication Skills (SCCS), Expected Outcomes of Communication (EOC). RESULTS: Participants showed an improvement in their confidence in communication with cancer patients (SCCS) (53.66 ± 14.11 vs 62.23 ± 13.6, p < 0.001), a reduction in negative expected outcome of communication (EOC) (5.35 ± .93 vs 5.86 ± 1, p < 0.001), an improvement of psychosocial orientation towards patients (84.81 ± 11.73 vs 77.7 ± 12.2, p < 0.001), a reduction in burnout scores, specifically emotional exhaustion (17.42 ± 10.8 vs 14.72 ± 10.2, p < 0.001) and depersonalization (5.1 ± 4.5 vs 4 ± 3.9, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: The training method used in this study showed positive short-term effects on several variables related to communication in cancer care. Routine training of nurses and consolidation of communication skills is mandatory in cancer settings.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
