NBOCC communication skills training modules

The NBOCC has developed a series of evidence-based modules that provide a summary of the relevant research and guidelines about how best to address issues when communicating with patients with cancer.

Each module comprises a concise summary of the relevant literature and research with reference to the NBOCC* and NCCI Clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of adults with cancer. NBOCC modules include:

• Breaking bad news
• Eliciting and responding to emotional cues
• Effectively communicating prognosis in cancer care
• Improving communication within the multidisciplinary team
• Discussing the transitions from curative care through to palliative care
• Addressing the needs of younger women with breast cancer
• Communication skills for radiographers performing mammography

The NBOCC is currently developing two new communication skills training modules:

• Effectively discussing a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ
• Effectively discussing complementary therapies.

Regular updates on the development and availability of these modules will be provided on this website.

The NBOCC is trialling alternative models to deliver effective communication skills training to health professionals. Further information will be available in the future.

Breaking bad news

All-cancer focus.

The way in which diagnostic news is delivered affects not only the person's understanding of the illness, but can also impact on their longer term psychological adjustment. This module aims to assist health professionals in delivering bad news, specifically communicating an initial diagnosis, a recurrence or diagnosis of metastatic disease.

• This module is recommended for small groups of up to 6 participants and is suitable for all health professionals involved in the management of patients with cancer.
• It is recommended that the workshop uses two facilitators, one with a clinical background, and the other with a psycho-oncology background. Ideally an actor should be used for interactive role-play.

Eliciting and responding to emotional cues

All-cancer focus.

Psychological distress is common in cancer patients; however, it is often unrecognised. This module aims to assist health professionals in identifying barriers to cancer patients expressing their psychosocial concerns, and provide strategies to assist health professionals to elicit, recognise, and manage psychosocial distress in their patients.

• This module is recommended for small groups of up to 6 participants and is suitable for all health professionals involved in the management of patients with cancer.
• It is recommended that the workshop uses two facilitators, one with a clinical background, and the other with a psycho-oncology background.
• Ideally an actor should be used for interactive role-play.

Effectively communicating prognosis in cancer care

All-cancer focus.

This module aims to assist health professionals in discussing prognosis with patients and their families. Prognosis is an issue which most doctors and patients find difficult to discuss. Some patients may find discussing prognosis distressing and they often misunderstand the information they are given. From the doctor's perspective, issues commonly debated include how to determine what the patient wants to hear, whether to provide life-expectancy estimates or make general comments, whether to discuss outliers and how to engender hope. The best way of presenting prognostic information to optimise understanding, psychological adjustment and decision-making is uncertain.

• This module is recommended for small groups of up to 6 participants and is suitable for all health professionals involved in the management of patients with cancer.
• It is recommended that the workshop uses two facilitators, one with a clinical background, and the other with a psycho-oncology background.
• Ideally an actor should be used for interactive role-play.

Communicating effectively within the multidisciplinary team

All-cancer focus.

Effective communication between health professionals is vital but may be difficult with an expanded team of health professionals. For multidisciplinary teams to be effective, all members must communicate effectively with one another. This module focuses on improving the communication skills of health professionals within a multidisciplinary team. The module was developed in collaboration with The Pam McLean Cancer Communication Centre.

• This model is recommended for multidisciplinary care treatment teams.
• It is recommended that this workshop is facilitated by a specialist facilitator. Actors and role play are not utilised in this workshop.

Discussing the transition from curative to palliative care

All-cancer focus.

This module aims to assist health professionals in facilitating a sympathetic transition from curative to palliative care for patients with cancer. Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for patients with life-threatening illness and their families. In practice, a palliative approach tends to be gradually adopted over time as the disease progresses. The challenge is how to facilitate a sympathetic transition from curative to palliative care.

• This module is recommended for small groups of up to 6 participants and is suitable for all health professionals involved in the management of patients with cancer.
• It is recommended that the workshop uses two facilitators, one with a clinical background, and the other with a psycho-oncology background.
• Ideally an actor should be used for interactive role-play.

Addressing the needs of younger women with breast cancer

Breast cancer focus.

A breast cancer diagnosis can be devastating for many women and their families, irrespective of the age of the woman at diagnosis. However, there are a number of issues that may be particularly pertinent to younger women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, including having to decide on treatments that may precipitate premature menopause and infertility, or change their body image and sexuality; the challenges of caring for young children whilst having treatment; the potential impact of the diagnosis and treatment on their employment status and on their relationships with partners. This module addresses the issues that need to be considered when communicating with younger women with breast cancer.

• This module is recommended for small groups of up to 6 participants and is suitable for all health professionals involved in the management of young women with breast cancer.
• It is recommended that the workshop uses two facilitators, one with a clinical background, and the other with a psycho-oncology background.
• Ideally an actor should be used for interactive role-play.

Communication skills for radiographers performing mammography

Breast cancer focus.

This module aims to assist radiographers in communicating effectively with women undergoing screening and/or assessment for breast cancer. This module is a variation on the standard NBOCC workshop module and designed for larger groups.

• This module is recommended for groups of up to 20 radiographers who perform screening or diagnostic mammography; this module can also be modified to include members of the support team such as reception and booking staff if required.
• It is recommended that this workshop is facilitated by a specialist facilitator. Actors and role play are not utilised in this workshop.

* In February 2008, National Breast Cancer Centre (NBCC) changed its name to National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre (NBOCC).

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Organising your own workshop

For more information on organising your own communication skills training workshop click here.

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