Communicatie

Abstract: Although communication skills training programs have been recommended to reduce physicians' burnout, few studies have investigated their efficacy. This study assessed the impact of two training programs on cancer physicians' burnout. Especially, it identified some variables leading to burnout in order to develop effective interventions. Burnout was assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory. No statistically significant impact of training programs on burnout was observed.

Wanneer een kankerpatiënt hervalt, kampt deze met de vraag hoe zijn ziekte verder zal verlopen. In sommige gevallen wil deze patiënt het ziekteverloop kennen, in andere gevallen niet. Toch is er vanuit de literatuur een consensus dat het belangrijk is voor het psychisch welzijn van de patiënt dat de arts een gesprek heeft rond het ziekteverloop van de patiënt. Dit zou depressie en- angstklachten verlagen.
Als doel van dit onderzoek wordt dieper ingegaan op de invloed van kennis van het ziekteverloop op het psychisch welzijn en coping van de patiënt.

Het is de bedoeling om de kwaliteit van de kankerzorg steeds verder te optimaliseren. Informatie en communicatie spelen in het geheel van deze zorg een cruciale rol. Meestal vult de zorgverstrekker in wat de nood is aan informatie en hoeveel informatie iemand nodig heeft op basis van psychologische theorieën. Toch is het interessant om zorg op maat te geven en daarom wil dit beperkte onderzoek nagaan welke informatie- en communicatiebehoeften de chemopatiënten formuleren. Ook willen we deze behoeften van de partner leren kennen.

Although increasing attention is paid to communication in psychosocial oncology, a comprehensive review of the literature reveals that emphasis has been given to individuals' selfreported experiences. Because naturally occurring interactions between cancer patients, family members, and health professionals have not received systematic attention, the authors propose that an empirical foundation for understanding communication activities is in its infancy.

Cancer communication near the end of life has a growing evidence base, and requires clinicians to draw on a distinct set of communication skills. Patients with advanced and incurable cancers are dealing with the emotional impact of a life-limiting illness, treatment decisions that are complex and frequently involve consideration of clinical trials, and the challenges of sustaining hope while also having realistic goals.

The idea to be reflected upon in this article concerns choice as a basic act in case of illness. Choices are precondition for decision making, decision making is crucial during the course of an illness. The making of choices depends on autonomy as a characteristic of identity. This article describes different psychological characteristics of autonomous behavior, some options for the health professional to accordingly interact with the patient, his history and future and the consequences for the provoking of stress during the diagnostic and treatment procedures.

The aim of this study was to investigate the beliefs that patients with advanced cancer held about the curability of their cancer, their use of alternatives to conventional medical treatment, and their need to have control over decisions about treatment. Of 149 patients who fulfilled the criteria for participation and completed a self-administered questionnaire, 45 patients (31%) believed their cancer was incurable, 61 (42%) were uncertain and 39 (27%) believed their cancer was curable.

Effective communication skills enable physicians to improve patients’ understanding of their illnesses, improve patient adherence to treatment regimens, use time efficiently, avoid burnout, and increase professional fulfillment.

We describe a protocol for disclosing unfavorable information—“breaking bad news”—to cancer patients about their illness. Straightforward and practical, the protocol meets the requirements defined by published research on this topic. The protocol (SPIKES) consists of six steps.