Communication skills training for radiation therapists: preparing patients for radiation therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Patients sometimes present for radiation therapy with high levels of anxiety. Communication skills training may assist radiation therapists to conduct more effective consultations with patients prior to treatment planning and treatment commencement. The overall aim of our research is to examine the effectiveness of a preparatory programme 'RT Prepare' delivered by radiation therapists to reduce patient psychological distress. The purpose of this manuscript was to describe the communication skills workshops developed for radiation therapists and evaluate participants' feedback. METHODS: Radiation therapists were invited to participate in two communication skills workshops run on the same day: (1) Consultation skills in radiation therapy and (2) Eliciting and responding to patients' emotional cues. Evaluation forms were completed. Radiation therapists' consultations with patients were then audio-recorded and evaluated prior to providing a follow-up workshop with participants. RESULTS: Nine full day workshops were held. Sixty radiation therapists participated. Positive feedback was received for both workshops with 88% or more participants agreeing or strongly agreeing with all the statements about the different components of the two workshops. Radiation therapists highlighted participating in role play with an actor, discussing issues; receiving feedback; acquiring new skills and knowledge; watching others role play and practicing with checklist were their favourite aspects of the initial workshop. The follow-up workshops provided radiation therapists with feedback on how they identified and addressed patients' psychological concerns; time spent with patients during consultations and the importance of finding private space for consultations. CONCLUSION: Communication skills training consisting of preparing patients for radiation therapy and eliciting and responding to emotional cues with follow-up workshops has the potential to improve radiation therapists' interactions with patients undergoing radiation therapy. Further research is warranted, similar to the RT Prepare study, to determine whether patient anxiety can be reduced as a result of improving communication and information provision.

Development and pilot testing of a radiation therapist-led educational intervention for breast cancer patients prior to commencing radiotherapy.

AIM: To describe the development of the content and pilot testing of a radiation therapist-led educational intervention for breast cancer patients about to commence radiotherapy. Pilot testing consisted of testing the intervention for appropriateness, feasibility and acceptance. METHODS: A tailored intervention consisting of two face-to-face meetings with a radiation therapist (one before radiation planning, the other before treatment) was developed using Level I evidence for preparing patients for potentially threatening procedures. Training of intervention radiation therapists consisted of two communication skills workshops. Radiation therapists' consultations were tape-recorded and analyzed. The feasibility of the intervention was assessed by response rates and feedback from patients and radiation therapists. Patients completed surveys at baseline and following each intervention delivery. The main outcome measures were anxiety and depression, patient concerns and knowledge about radiotherapy. RESULTS: Response rates were considered acceptable. Twelve patients were enrolled and completed baseline measures. Nine patients completed follow-up measures following the second consultation. Preliminary results showed a trend for a decrease in anxiety and depression levels following the first consultation. There was also a decrease in concerns about radiotherapy and an increase in patients' knowledge. The instruments showed variability at baseline and discriminated between different responses over time. Radiation therapists adhered to providing the interventions. Interviews with radiation therapists and patients demonstrated that the intervention was feasible and acceptable. CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrated that this new intervention is both feasible and acceptable to radiation therapists and patients. The intervention is now being assessed using a randomized controlled trial.