A communication skills package to prevent fear of cancer recurrence
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development and feasibility of a communication training package for therapeutic radiographers to manage emotional talk with breast cancer patients in treatment
IRAS ID
243540
Contact name
Gerald Humphris
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of St Andrews
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT03468881
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
A communication skills package to prevent fear of cancer recurrence
Our interest is to prevent the development of high levels of fear of cancer recurrence (RCR) that many breast cancer patients experience soon after treatment. Our pilot study (FORECAST) showed that for nearly a third of patients FCR levels increase during radiotherapy treatment. It also appeared that these fears could be sensitive to the communication exchange with the radiographer.
The aim of our follow-up study (FORECAST2) is to develop a communication training package to assist therapeutic radiographers to manage emotional talk with patients. In addition, we want to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of this package.
In the first phase of the project (Phase 1), patients and radiographers come together in a co-design process to help develop the intervention. The training package is called KEW, standing for Knowledge about the patient, Encouragement to patients to express their concerns, and Warm-up to advise staff to prevent possible cutting off patients nearing the end of the review appointment.
In Phase 2, the prototype of this training package is produced and patient representatives and radiographers from around the country will provide feedback on the materials.
In the last phase (Phase 3), we wish to collect observations of 74 breast cancer patients using audio-tape, smartphone-assisted patient ratings and questionnaires of patients’ FCR over the course of their radiotherapy treatment. At the end of their treatment, patients will also be asked to rate their satisfaction with the communication during the review appointments.
The results will produce further understanding of the crucial personal communication between therapeutic radiographers and their patients. In addition, it will allow us to optimise this unique evidence-based intervention to assist radiographers to reduce the likelihood of exaggerated FCR from developing and to prepare for a wider roll-out study across the UK.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0669
Date of REC Opinion
1 May 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion