Lord, L., Clark-Carter, David and Grove, Amy L. (2016) The effectiveness of communication skills training interventions in end-of-life non-cancer care in acute hospital based services : a systematic review. Palliative & Supportive Care, 14 (4). pp. 433-444. doi:10.1017/S1478951515001108 ISSN 1478-9515.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
A systematic review was conducted in order to explore the effectiveness of communication-skills training interventions in end-of-life care with noncancer acute-based healthcare staff.

METHOD:
Articles were included if they (1) focused on communication-skills training in end-of-life/palliative care for noncancer acute-based staff and (2) reported an outcome related to behavior change with regard to communication. Sixteen online databases were searched, which resulted in 4,038 potential articles. Screening of titles left 393 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Abstracts (n = 346) and full-text articles (n = 47) were reviewed, leaving 10 papers that met the criteria for our review. All articles explored the effect of communication-skills training on aspects of staff behavior; one study measured the effect on self-efficacy, another explored the impact on knowledge and competence, and another measured comfort levels in discussing the end of life with patients/families. Seven studies measured a number of outcomes, including confidence, attitude, preparedness, stress, and communication skills.

RESULTS:
Few studies have focused on end-of-life communication-skills training in noncancer acute-based services. Those that do have report positive effects on staff behavior with regard to communication about the end of life with patients and families. The studies varied in terms of the population studied and the health services involved, and they scored only moderately or weakly on quality. It is a challenge to draw a definite conclusion about the effectiveness of training interventions in end-of-life communication because of this. However, the findings from our review demonstrate the potential effectiveness of a range of training interventions with healthcare professionals on confidence, attitude, self-efficacy, and communication skills.

SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS:
Further research is needed to fully explore the effectiveness of existing training interventions in this population, and evidence using objective measures is particularly needed. Ideally, randomized controlled trials or studies using control groups and longer follow-ups are needed to test the effectiveness of interventions

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HM Sociology P Language and Literature > P Philology. Linguistics R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RT Nursing
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Health Sciences > Population, Evidence & Technologies (PET) Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Interpersonal communication , Communication in medicine, Communication in nursing, Communication, Terminal care, Hospice care , Palliative treatment , Nurse and patient, Physician and patient
Journal or Publication Title:	Palliative & Supportive Care
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
ISSN:	1478-9515
Official Date:	August 2016
Dates:	Date Event August 2016 Published 17 December 2015 Published 18 July 2015 Accepted 1 June 2015 Submitted
Volume:	14
Number:	4
Number of Pages:	12
Page Range:	pp. 433-444
DOI:	10.1017/S1478951515001108
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Date of first compliant deposit:	24 May 2016
Date of first compliant Open Access:	24 May 2016

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