Development of Communication Skills Training for Oncology Clinicians to Promote Inclusion of the Family Members of LGBTQ+ People with Cancer

Abstract

Background: LGBTQ+ persons with cancer and their families consistently face discriminatory care. In addition, clinicians report inadequate population-specific knowledge and communication skills to effectively promote LGBTQ+ inclusion. To fill this gap, we designed a communication skills training based on extant literature; multidisciplinary perspectives; and patient, family, and clinician expert engagement. Methods: Training content comprised didactic information, including exemplar videos of communication strategies, and experiential learning roleplay opportunities with standardized patient and family member actors. Two training sessions were conducted virtually with invited multidisciplinary clinicians using convenience sampling. Each training was followed by a one-hour, semi-structured focus group to solicit feedback on participants’ experiences and recommendations for improvement. Focus group transcripts were thematically analyzed using a constant comparative approach. Results: Two major themes were identified: key takeaways from the training and recommendations for improvement. Participants reported favorable learning experiences and believed the training would have a positive influence on future clinical interactions. We synthesized recommendations into five discrete pieces of feedback related to (1) the advanced level of training material; (2) diversity throughout the training; (3) complexity of family dynamics; and (4) recovery from communication mistakes; and (5) additional topics for future training. Based on feedback, corresponding changes for each item and a refined communication skills blueprint are provided. Conclusions: Our innovative training on inclusive cancer care for LGBTQ+ patients’ families will provide both knowledge-based and experiential learning opportunities to advance clinicians’ confidence in communicating empathically with members of diverse sexual orientation and gender identities. The training is poised for feasibility and efficacy testing.