Communication about cancer clinical trials and treatment options: A randomised trial of a consultation skills training package

During the past decade there has been a growing expectation that patients participate in decisions about their medical care and give informed consent not only to clinical trials, but also to standard treatments. However, many doctors and patients experience difficulties during these discussions, leading to questionable informed consent. This international randomised control trial evaluates a training program designed to assist doctors to communicate in an ethical and effective way about treatment options and medical research in a breast cancer population. The project is being conducted in collaboration with the International Breast Cancer Study Group based in Switzerland. The current study will be one of the first in the world to rigorously evaluate the impact of consultation-skills training on both doctor behaviour and patient and doctor outcomes.

Funding: National Breast Cancer Foundation


Improving outcomes for people with cancer: consultation skills-training with oncologists

Emotional distress is under-detected and treated in cancer patients. This project has developed a consultation skills training intervention for oncologists involving a face-to-face workshop and 4 video-conferencing follow-up sessions. Thirty doctors participated in the study, which explored doctor and patient outcomes. Analysis is underway.

Funding: NHMRC Project grant