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Cited by 854Patient-Provider Communication in HealthcareInnovations in Medical EducationEmpathy and Medical Education

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 22 of the 24 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Efficacy of a Cancer Research UK communication skills training model for oncologists: a randomised controlled trial

Open access
Fallowfield, Lesley, Jenkins, Valerie, Farewell, Vern, Saul, Jacky, Duffy, Anthony, Eves, Rebecca·2002·The Lancet
DOI 10.1016/s0140-6736(02)07810-8
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Abstract

Background Doctors' communication with patients is commonly hampered by lack of training in this core skill. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an intensive 3-day training course on communication skills in a randomised controlled trial with a two-by-two factorial design and several outcomes.Methods 160 oncologists from 34 UK cancer centres were randomly allocated to four groups: written feedback followed by course; course alone; written feedback alone; and control. At each of two assessment periods, consultations with six to ten consecutive, consenting patients per doctor were videotaped. 2407 patients participated. Outcome measures included objective and subjective ratings made by researchers, doctors, and patients. The primary outcomes were objective improvements after the intervention in key communication skills. Course content included structured feedback, videotape review of consultations, role-play with simulated patients, interactive group demonstrations, and discussion led by a trained facilitator.Findings In Poisson regression analysis of counts of communication behaviours, course attendance significantly improved key outcomes. The estimated effect sizes corresponded to higher rates of use of focused questions (difference between course attenders [n=80] and non-attenders [n=80] 34%, p=0.003), focused and open questions (27%, p=0.005), expressions of empathy (69%, p=0.003), and appropriate responses to patients' cues (38%, p=0.026), and a 24% lower rate of use of leading questions (p=0.11). There was little evidence for the effectiveness of written feedback.Interpretation The communication problems of senior doctors working in cancer medicine are not resolved by time and clinical experience. This trial shows that training courses significantly improve key communication skills. More resources should be allocated to address doctors' training needs in this vital area.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s0140-6736(02)07810-8

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Metadata

Authors
Fallowfield, L., Jenkins, V., Farewell, V., Saul, J., Duffy, A., & Eves, R.
Affiliations
University of Sussex (GB)
Corresponding author
Fallowfield, Lesley
ORCID
Venue
The Lancet
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2002-02
Volume
359
Issue
9307
Pages
650-656
ISSN
  • 0099-5355 (ISSN-L)
  • 0140-6736
DOI
10.1016/s0140-6736(02)07810-8
OpenAlex
W2141791438
Cited by
854
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 36 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 48 · 2012: 50
FWCI
93.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • The Lancet (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Cancer Research UK
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
  • Social Sciences › Education › Innovations in Medical Education
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Empathy and Medical Education
Keywords
physician-patient communication, communication skills training, oncologists, written feedback, videotape review, role play, empathy, leading questions, physician training
MeSH terms
Adult, Clinical Competence, Communication, Competency-Based Education, Female, United Kingdom, Humans, Male, Medical Oncology, Physician-Patient Relations, Prospective Studies, Quality of Health Care, Regression Analysis, Odds Ratio

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