Communication skills training for healthcare professionals working with people who have cancer

Whether CST works and which types of CST, if any, are the most effective in improving the communication skills of HCPs involved in cancer care, and in improving patient health status and satisfaction is assessed.

Abstract

Various CST courses appear to be effective in improving HCP communication skills related to supportive skills and to help HCPs to be less likely to give facts only without individualising their responses to the patient's emotions or offering support. We were unable to determine whether the effects of CST are sustained over time, whether consolidation sessions are necessary, and which types of CST programs are most likely to work. We found no evidence to support a beneficial effect of CST on HCP 'burnout', the mental or physical health and satisfaction of people with cancer.