These training sessions are intended for care providers with practical experience in oncology and their purpose is to help them develop behaviours that facilitate communication with cancer patients and those close to them in emotional contexts. All the training sessions are centred around practical application by the participants and include theoretical information and role play situations.

Initial training in oncology communication

Objective:

The purpose of this training is learning intervention strategies that nurture communication and understanding of cancer patients’ responses and responses of those close to them. For example: communication of negative information content (diagnosis, treatment and prognosis), communication around uncertainty and risks, communication with close people, communication around difficult situations, communication at end of life and with bereaved persons, identification of symptoms of distress in patients and those close to them, etc.

The training techniques include role play constructed on the basis of cases presented, case discussion and application of theoretical information. The sessions are conducted in small groups to enable in-depth participation. The trainers are able to travel to health care facilities if requested. These 30-hour modules are subsidized by the National Cancer Plan and are entirely free. They are designed for mono-disciplinary groups of nurses, doctors or paramedical professionals.

 

With the financial support of the National Cancer Plan, Action 7.2.

 

In-depth training in oncology communication

Objective:

The purpose of this training is to consolidate and develop the competencies acquired in the initial training. It focuses on developing proficiency in application of the communication techniques through specific subject areas (giving bad news, euthanasia requests, family or cultural problems, etc.). These 30-hour modules are subsidized by the National Cancer Plan and are entirely free. They are designed for mono-disciplinary groups of nurses, doctors or paramedical professionals who have already received the initial training.

Condition: having participated in the initial communication training.

With the financial support of the National Cancer Plan, Action 7.2.

 

Training in oncology communication for health care teams

Objective:

The purpose of this training is the acquisition of communication skills for members of a single medical team and learning to work as part of a multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary team. It focuses on complementarity of the various people involved to better meet patients’ oncology needs and the needs of those close to them. It is intended for multi-disciplinary teams of care providers working with cancer patients and where each team member has already received the initial training in a mono-disciplinary group. These 30-hour modules are subsidized by the National Cancer Plan and are entirely free.

Condition: having participated in the initial mono-disciplinary communication training.

With the financial support of the National Cancer Plan, Action 7.2.

 

Training: "Talking about uncertainty and supporting hope"

Objective:

The training is centred around high-uncertainty contexts in oncology and its purpose is to help care providers improve their ability to communicate on uncertainty and hope in these difficult situations. It focuses on the participants’ practices and includes theoretical information, role play and modelling.

Practical information

The training is 30 hours in length and is organized in groups of 3 participants.

The effectiveness of the training is evaluated in the framework of an inter-university research project (ULB, UCL, ULg) via a randomized study. This involves the participants completing questionnaires at the time of two evaluations and participating in simulation of a medical consultation or discussion in a high-uncertainty situation.

The training timetable and location will be adapted to suit participants’ availability. The only constraints are the need to spread the 30 hours of training over 10 weeks and a minimum of 3 hours per session.

 

The project is financed by the FRS-FNRS/Télévie, by the COCOM and by the Friends of the Bordet Institute.

 

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