RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: This is the third update of a review that was originally published in the Cochrane Library in 2002, Issue 2. People with cancer, their families and carers have a high prevalence of psychological stress, which may be minimised by effective communication and support from their attending healthcare professionals (HCPs). Research suggests communication skills do not reliably improve with experience, therefore, considerable effort is dedicated to courses that may improve communication skills for HCPs involved in cancer care. A variety of communication skills training (CST) courses are in practice. We conducted this review to determine whether CST works and which types of CST, if any, are the most effective. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether communication skills training is effective in changing behaviour of HCPs working in cancer care and in improving HCP well-being, patient health status and satisfaction. SEARCH METHODS: For this update, we searched the following electronic databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2018, Issue 4), MEDLINE via Ovid, Embase via Ovid, PsycInfo and CINAHL up to May 2018. In addition, we searched the US National Library of Medicine Clinical Trial Registry and handsearched the reference lists of relevant articles and conference proceedings for additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: The original review was a narrative review that included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled before-and-after studies. In updated versions, we limited our criteria to RCTs evaluating CST compared with no CST or other CST in HCPs working in cancer care. Primary outcomes were changes in HCP communication skills measured in interactions with real or simulated people with cancer or both, using objective scales. We excluded studies whose focus was communication skills in encounters related to informed consent for research. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed trials and extracted data to a pre-designed data collection form. We pooled data using the random-effects method. For continuous data, we used standardised mean differences (SMDs). MAIN RESULTS: We included 17 RCTs conducted mainly in outpatient settings. Eleven trials compared CST with no CST intervention; three trials compared the effect of a follow-up CST intervention after initial CST training; two trials compared the effect of CST and patient coaching; and one trial compared two types of CST. The types of CST courses evaluated in these trials were diverse. Study participants included oncologists, residents, other doctors, nurses and a mixed team of HCPs. Overall, 1240 HCPs participated (612 doctors including 151 residents, 532 nurses, and 96 mixed HCPs).Ten trials contributed data to the meta-analyses. HCPs in the intervention groups were more likely to use open questions in the post-intervention interviews than the control group (SMD 0.25, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.48; P = 0.03, I² = 62%; 5 studies, 796 participant interviews; very low-certainty evidence); more likely to show empathy towards their patients (SMD 0.18, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.32; P = 0.008, I² = 0%; 6 studies, 844 participant interviews; moderate-certainty evidence), and less likely to give facts only (SMD -0.26, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.01; P = 0.05, I² = 68%; 5 studies, 780 participant interviews; low-certainty evidence). Evidence suggesting no difference between CST and no CST on eliciting patient concerns and providing appropriate information was of a moderate-certainty. There was no evidence of differences in the other HCP communication skills, including clarifying and/or summarising information, and negotiation. Doctors and nurses did not perform differently for any HCP outcomes.There were no differences between the groups with regard to HCP 'burnout' (low-certainty evidence) nor with regard to patient satisfaction or patient perception of the HCPs communication skills (very low-certainty evidence). Out of the 17 included RCTs 15 were considered to be at a low risk of overall bias. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: 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.
Asunto(s)
Cuidadores/educación , Comunicación , Personal de Salud/educación , Oncología Médica/educación , Neoplasias/terapia , Estrés Psicológico/prevención & control , Ansiedad/prevención & control , Cuidadores/psicología , Empatía , Personal de Salud/psicología , Humanos , Neoplasias/psicología , Enfermería Oncológica/educación , Relaciones Profesional-Paciente , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como AsuntoRESUMEN
RESUMEN Las dietas vegetarianas pueden proveer beneficios para la salud, prevención y tratamiento de enfermedades, siendo adecuadas en todas las etapas del ciclo vital cuando es correctamente asesorada por un profesional especialista en nutrición, entre los que se encuentran las nutricionistas, a fin de prevenir déficits en nutrientes críticos. Debido a esto, resulta relevante identificar la percepción que elaboran sobre el rol del nutricionista las personas vegetarianas que no han contado con asesoría y planificación nutricional profesional. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo centrado en los relatos de vida, donde participaron 10 personas vegetarianas residentes de Coquimbo y La Serena durante el año 2019, seleccionados mediante un muestreo bola de nieve, lo que implicó producir información cualitativa a través de una entrevista semi estructurada. Posteriormente se utilizó análisis cualitativo de contenido, producto de este análisis surgen dos grandes categorías. Como primera categoría el rol biopsicosocial del profesional nutricionista y segunda categoría sugerencias desde los vegetarianos para la atención. Del análisis se destaca la importancia del profesional nutricionista en el abordaje de personas vegetarianas o veganas, quienes esperan de los profesionales un vínculo efectivo con su comunidad mediante instancias de educación alimentaria, asesorías a bajo costo, el desarrollo de competencias técnicas y personales tales como, la actualización continua y la atención empática. Los hallazgos de este estudio pueden ser tomados como guía para la formación y actualización de profesionales, además de proponer medidas nutricionales en el campo de la salud pública y atención contextualizada a personas vegetarianas.
Abstract Vegetarian diets can provide benefits for health, prevention, and treatment of diseases and are appropriate at all stages of the life, when properly advised by specialists in nutrition, to prevent deficits in critical nutrients. Because of this, it is relevant to identify the perception of the role of the nutritionist among vegetarians who have not received professional nutritional advice and planning. A qualitative study focused on life stories was conducted, where 10 vegetarians living in Coquimbo and La Serena participated during 2019, selected through snowball sampling, which involved producing qualitative information through a semi-structured interview. Subsequently, qualitative content analysis was used, and two main categories emerged from this analysis. The first category was the biopsychosocial role of the professional nutritionist, and the second category was suggestions from vegetarians for care. The analysis highlights the importance of the professional nutritionist in the approach to vegetarians or vegans, who expect from professionals an effective link with their community through instances of food education, low-cost advice, the development of technical and personal skills such as continuous updating and empathetic care. The findings of this study can be taken as a guide for the training and updating of professionals, in addition to proposing nutritional measures in the field of public health and contextualized care for vegetarians.