Effective Communication Skills are the Key to Good Cancer Care

Communication within oncology is a core clinical skill but one in which few oncologists or specialist
cancer nurses have received much formal training. Inadequate communication may cause much distress
for patients and their families, who often want considerably more information than is usually
provided. Many patients leave consultations unsure about the diagnosis and prognosis, confused about
the meaning of -and need for- further diagnostic tests, unclear about the management plan and
uncertain about the true therapeutic intent of treatment. Additionally, communication difficulties
may impede the recruitment of patients to clinical trials, delaying the introduction of efficacious new
treatments into clinics. Lack of effective communication between specialists and departments can also
cause confusion and a loss of confidence amongst the team. Oncologists themselves acknowledge that
insuYcient training in communication and management skills is a major factor contributing to their
own stress, lack of job satisfaction and emotional burnout. Consequently, over the past few years there
have been several initiatives aimed at improving basic communication skills training for healthcare
professionals in the cancer field. In this paper, some of the issues that influence communication
within an oncology setting, and ultimately affect patient care, are discussed.

1999 Published by
Elsevier Science Ltd.