Process-evaluation and outcome-evaluation of a training programme for healthcare professionals in oncology to enhance their competencies in caring for patients with minor children: a study protocol for a randomised controlled pilot study

Abstract

IntroductionPatients with cancer having minor children experience particular burden and strains. Being patient and parent at the same time is associated with specific needs of support. Therefore, the communication of child-related and family-related issues plays an important role in patient care. This study aims at testing the feasibility of a training to improve the situation of patients with cancer having minor children and their families by enhancing the competencies of healthcare professionals (HCPs, eg, physicians, nurses, psychologists) in caring for patients with cancer having minor children. Moreover, the study aims at testing the study design and outcomes of the evaluation concept and preliminary effects of the training.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a randomised controlled pilot trial with three arms (face-to-face training versus web-based training versus waitlist control group) to investigate the study aims. Primary outcome will be the competency to approach child-related and family-related topics in patients with cancer measured using comprehensive case vignettes. Secondary outcomes will be communication and attitudes regarding child-related and family-related topics and self-efficacy in clinical communication skills. Outcomes will be assessed prior to the training and after the training as well as 3 months after the training. Data will be analysed using descriptive analyses, group comparisons and linear mixed models.Ethics and disseminationThe study was approved by the Local Psychological Ethics Committee of the Center for Psychosocial Medicine of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (LPEK-001). At the end of the study, a web-based training and a face-to-face training intervention to enhance the competencies of HCPs in caring for patients with cancer having minor children will have been systematically developed and the study design and evaluation concept will have been evaluated. The results of the study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.Trial registration numberDRKS00015794.

Assessing competencies of healthcare professionals caring for parents with cancer: The development of an innovative assessment tool

“…We aimed at detailed reporting of the development process providing an orientation for future research. In the context of the pilot evaluation of a newly developed training, 28 the assessment tool will be applied before, after and three months after the training to assess changes in knowledge application, behavioural responses, attitudes and empathic behaviour of HCPs.…”

“…Creating a basis for the assessment tool, we developed coherent scenarios of exemplary cases of cancer patients with minor children based on results of semi‐structured interviews and relevant literature. We extracted data from interviews with n = 18 parents, n = 20 HCPs and n = 17 experts that were conducted, transcribed and analysed in the context of the comprehensive pilot study 28 . Parents (diagnosed with cancer, having at least one minor child) were recruited by employees of the local cancer centre.…”

“…This work is part of a larger pilot study, comprising the development and the evaluation of a training to enhance HCP's competencies in caring for cancer patients with minor children. 28 The present assessment tool was developed to measure competencies of HCPs at three measuring time points (before, after and 3 months after the training). We combined case vignettes and SJTs to create a time-and cost-efficient, case- Step 3 (Behaviour) comprises the empathic behaviour of HCPs towards parents with cancer and their behavioural responses to clinical scenarios.…”

“…We extracted data from interviews with n = 18 parents, n = 20 HCPs and n = 17 experts that were conducted, transcribed and analysed in the context of the comprehensive pilot study. 28 we generated open-ended questions.…”

“…This work is part of a larger pilot study, comprising the development and the evaluation of a training to enhance HCP's competencies in caring for cancer patients with minor children 28 . The present assessment tool was developed to measure competencies of HCPs at three measuring time points (before, after and 3 months after the training).…”