Effectiveness of online communication skills training for cancer and palliative care health professionals: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective To determine the reported effect of online communication skills training (CST) on health professional (HP) communication skills and patient care outcomes in cancer and palliative care. Methods Primary research published in English between January 2003 and April 2019 was identified in bibliographic databases including Medline, Embase and Proquest (Prospero: CRD42018088681). An integrated mixed‐method approach included studies describing a CST intervention and its effect, for cancer or palliative care HPs, delivered online or blended with an online component. Included studies' outcomes were categorised then findings were stratified by an evaluation framework and synthesised in an effect direction plot. Risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute's tools. Results Nineteen included studies (five randomised controlled trials, 11 pre‐post, two post‐test and one qualitative study) evaluated a CST intervention (median duration = 3.75 h; range 0.66–96 h) involving 1116 HPs, 422 students and 732 patients. Most interventions taught communication skills for specific scenarios and approximately half were delivered solely online and did not involve role plays. Online CST improved HPs' self‐assessed communication skills (three studies, 215 participants), confidence (four studies, 533 participants), and objective knowledge (five studies, 753 participants). While few studies evaluated patient outcomes, CST may benefit observed communication skills in care settings (two studies, 595 participants). Conclusions Online CST benefits oncology HPs' subjectively‐reported communication skills and confidence, and objective knowledge. Translation to patient outcomes requires further investigation. The quality of research varied and few studies had a control group. We recommend improvements to study design, evaluation and implementation.

Child- and family-specific communication skills trainings for healthcare professionals caring for families with parental cancer: A systematic review

“…This implies that CSTs are a promising approach to improve HCPs communication skills including specific skills on parental cancer and support building a bridge to communicate effectively with affected parents and their families. This implication is supported by previous research, indicating increased self-efficacy, knowledge and skills [ 48 ] will in turn improve (a) HCP’s communication behavior, (b) HCP’s satisfaction with communication and their mental well-being health (e.g., reduced emotional burn-out) [ 25 ], and (c) outcomes for patients and their families (e.g., reduced stress and feelings of anxiety, improved satisfaction with care [ 26 , 49 ]). However, findings are not generalizable due to small sample sizes in most studies included in this review and only two included studies applying a specific CST on parental cancer.…”

Effectiveness of a training program for healthcare professionals on parental cancer: Results of a randomized controlled pilot‐study

“…34 EL might be an adequate alternative to F2F, as it is a more flexible approach. 34 As evidence for EL interventions on patient-reported outcomes is low, 34…”

“…At the same time, HCPs experience various barriers in daily clinical routine to participate in a F2F intervention, for example, time constraints 34 . EL might be an adequate alternative to F2F, as it is a more flexible approach 34 . As evidence for EL interventions on patient‐reported outcomes is low, 34 the pros and cons of EL interventions should be considered carefully when designing trainings for HCPs.…”

Blended online learning for oncologists to improve skills in shared decision making about palliative chemotherapy: a pre-posttest evaluation

“…over time, place or pace) combined with more traditional instructor-led synchronous learning [15], are increasingly adopted for CST because of their flexibility, richness and cost-effectiveness [16]. Online and blended CST, both with and without participant interaction, benefits cancer and palliative healthcare professionals [17], and its completion rate can be up to six times higher compared to traditional training [18]. Although a review comparing e-learning or blended learning with conventional learning suggests that e-learning may be at least as effective as conventional training, no definite conclusions can be drawn given the large heterogeneity across studies [19].…”