Empathic Communication Skills (ECS) Training

Launched by MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER · Jul 8, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a special training program for healthcare providers that focuses on empathic communication skills (ECS). The goal is to improve the experience of lung cancer patients by reducing the stigma they may feel during medical appointments. Research shows that many lung cancer patients experience stigma, which can affect their well-being and the quality of their care. By teaching healthcare providers how to communicate with empathy, the trial aims to create a more supportive environment for patients.

To participate in this trial, patients must be at least 18 years old, speak English or Spanish, and have either a suspicious lung mass or a confirmed lung cancer diagnosis. They should also have seen the participating healthcare provider no more than 10 times. Participants can expect to receive care from trained providers who will use new communication techniques to help make their visits more comfortable. This training is an important step toward improving the overall care and emotional support for lung cancer patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Site Eligibility
• • Employs at least 15 FTE OCPs (i.e., oncologists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) as per self report
• • Reports a clinic volume of at least 20 new lung cancer patients per month as per self report
• • OCP Participant Eligibility
• • OCPs who are thoracic oncology physicians (radiologists, medical oncologists, pulmonologists, and surgeons), NPs, or PAs and currently treating lung cancer patients, as per self-report;
• • OCP conducts consultations with lung cancer patients, as per self-report;
• • OCP sees at least 1 lung cancer patient per week, as per self-report;
• • Patient Eligibility
• • Patient under the care of a participating OCP as per self report;
• • English and/or Spanish speaking;
• • In general, which language do you prefer to receive your medical care, English/Spanish/both English and Spanish Equally?
• • If English, treat as fluent in English, no additional language questions
• • If Spanish, treat as fluent in Spanish, no additional language questions
• • If both English and Spanish equally, ask the follow-up questions and go with whichever language is endorsed as best. If endorsed equally, assign to category patient prefers
• • How well do you speak English? Not at all/ Not well/Well/Very well
• • How well do you speak Spanish? Not at all/Not well/Well/Very well
• • Is at least 18 years of age as per self report;
• • Has a history of suspicious lung mass or confirmed lung cancer diagnosis, as per clinician judgment or medical record note;
• • Is a former or current smoking as per self report;
• • Has had no more than 10 prior visits with the participating OCP, as per the medical record and/or self report
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patient Exclusion
• • Individuals of impaired decision-making capacity as per a clinician's judgment or as documented in the EMR.
• • Site and OCP Exclusion
• • None