Fostering Communicative Competence and Performance of Physician-Patient Relation (KPAP): Multimodal Assessment of Long-Term Effects of a Communication Training Programme - Study Protocol of a Monocentric Interventional Trial.

Abstract

Introduction: Communication training (CT) enhances the communication skills of oncology healthcare professionals. Kommunikative Kompetenz und Performanz in der Arzt-Patient Beziehung fördern (KPAP; fostering communicative competence and performance of physician-patient relation) is an intervention study that evaluates the long-term effects 3 years after the CTs in the context of a CT programme. It is supported by the German Cancer Aid and conducted at the University Hospital of Cologne.

Methods: The aim of the study will be to assess the long-term communicative competence of physicians using a multimodal approach through self-assessment and external evaluation by trained experts and trained patient raters. Prior to the study, physicians working with cancer patients underwent a structured CT. Self-reported questionnaires were completed at the beginning (T0), at the end (T1) of the 2.5-day CT, and during a 6-h refresher session (T2) several months later. Participants were recorded on video while breaking bad news (BBN) to standardised patients. As part of this study, participants will complete self-reported questionnaires at least 3 years after the 2.5-day CT (T3). At T3, a subsample of participants (at least n = 60) will be video-recorded again. These simulated BBN encounters at T0 and T3 will be rated by trained patient raters and trained experts using the Bad News Consultation Assessment Scale (AGBS) and the Consultation and Relational Empathy instrument. The primary outcome will be the difference between AGBS scores at T3 and T0. Furthermore, expert raters will analyse these videos using Discourse Coding Analysis Software and the ComOn Rating Scale. Additionally, the health literacy of patient raters will be assessed using the European Health Literacy Survey (HLS-EU).

Conclusion: A more precise understanding of communicative competences, particularly by incorporating the patient's perspective, will enable the development of recommendations for future training and enhance the sustainability of CT.