Effect of a prediction tool and communication skills training on communication of treatment outcomes: a multicenter stepped wedge clinical trial (the SOURCE trial)

L. F. van de Water; S. C. Kuijper; I. Henselmans; E. N. van Alphen; E. S. Kooij; M. M. Calff; L. V. Beerepoot; J. Buijsen; W. J. Eshuis; E. D. Geijsen; S. H. C. Havenith; F. F. B. M. Heesakkers; S. Mook; K. Muller; H. C. Post; H. Rütten; M. Slingerland; T. van Voorthuizen; H. W. M. van Laarhoven; E. M. A. Smets

doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102244

Effect of a prediction tool and communication skills training on communication of treatment outcomes: a multicenter stepped wedge clinical trial (the SOURCE trial)

L. F. van de Water, S. C. Kuijper, I. Henselmans, E. N. van Alphen, E. S. Kooij, M. M. Calff, L. V. Beerepoot, J. Buijsen, W. J. Eshuis, E. D. Geijsen, S. H. C. Havenith, F. F. B. M. Heesakkers, S. Mook, K. Muller, H. C. Post, H. Rütten, M. Slingerland, T. van Voorthuizen, H. W. M. van Laarhoven, E. M. A. Smets

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Background: For cancer patients to effectively engage in decision making, they require comprehensive and understandable information regarding treatment options and their associated outcomes. We developed an online prediction tool and supporting communication skills training to assist healthcare providers (HCPs) in this complex task. This study aims to assess the impact of this combined intervention (prediction tool and training) on the communication practices of HCPs when discussing treatment options. Methods: We conducted a multicenter intervention trial using a pragmatic stepped wedge design (NCT04232735). Standardized Patient Assessments (simulated consultations) using cases of esophageal and gastric cancer patients, were performed before and after the combined intervention (March 2020 to July 2022). Audio recordings were analyzed using an observational coding scale, rating all utterances of treatment outcome information on the primary outcome–precision of provided outcome information–and on secondary outcomes–such as: personalization, tailoring and use of visualizations. Pre vs. post measurements were compared in order to assess the effect of the intervention. Findings: 31 HCPs of 11 different centers in the Netherlands participated. The tool and training significantly affected the precision of the overall communicated treatment outcome information (p = 0.001, median difference 6.93, IQR (−0.32 to 12.44)). In the curative setting, survival information was significantly more precise after the intervention (p = 0.029). In the palliative setting, information about side effects was more precise (p < 0.001). Interpretation: A prediction tool and communication skills training for HCPs improves the precision of treatment information on outcomes in simulated consultations. The next step is to examine the effect of such interventions on communication in clinical practice and on patient-reported outcomes. Funding: Financial support for this study was provided entirely by a grant from the Dutch Cancer Society (UVA 2014-7000).

Original language	English
Article number	102244
Journal	EClinicalMedicine
Volume	64
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102244
Publication status	Published - 1 Oct 2023

Keywords

Communication skills training
Esophageal cancer
Gastric cancer
Intervention study
Prediction model
Risk communication

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102244

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van de Water, L. F., Kuijper, S. C., Henselmans, I., van Alphen, E. N., Kooij, E. S., Calff, M. M., Beerepoot, L. V., Buijsen, J., Eshuis, W. J., Geijsen, E. D., Havenith, S. H. C., Heesakkers, F. F. B. M., Mook, S., Muller, K., Post, H. C., Rütten, H., Slingerland, M., van Voorthuizen, T., van Laarhoven, H. W. M., & Smets, E. M. A. (2023). Effect of a prediction tool and communication skills training on communication of treatment outcomes: a multicenter stepped wedge clinical trial (the SOURCE trial). EClinicalMedicine, 64, Article 102244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102244

@article{c4f29482f1f0482cb3b0f77c3ff00d29,

title = "Effect of a prediction tool and communication skills training on communication of treatment outcomes: a multicenter stepped wedge clinical trial (the SOURCE trial)",

abstract = "Background: For cancer patients to effectively engage in decision making, they require comprehensive and understandable information regarding treatment options and their associated outcomes. We developed an online prediction tool and supporting communication skills training to assist healthcare providers (HCPs) in this complex task. This study aims to assess the impact of this combined intervention (prediction tool and training) on the communication practices of HCPs when discussing treatment options. Methods: We conducted a multicenter intervention trial using a pragmatic stepped wedge design (NCT04232735). Standardized Patient Assessments (simulated consultations) using cases of esophageal and gastric cancer patients, were performed before and after the combined intervention (March 2020 to July 2022). Audio recordings were analyzed using an observational coding scale, rating all utterances of treatment outcome information on the primary outcome–precision of provided outcome information–and on secondary outcomes–such as: personalization, tailoring and use of visualizations. Pre vs. post measurements were compared in order to assess the effect of the intervention. Findings: 31 HCPs of 11 different centers in the Netherlands participated. The tool and training significantly affected the precision of the overall communicated treatment outcome information (p = 0.001, median difference 6.93, IQR (−0.32 to 12.44)). In the curative setting, survival information was significantly more precise after the intervention (p = 0.029). In the palliative setting, information about side effects was more precise (p < 0.001). Interpretation: A prediction tool and communication skills training for HCPs improves the precision of treatment information on outcomes in simulated consultations. The next step is to examine the effect of such interventions on communication in clinical practice and on patient-reported outcomes. Funding: Financial support for this study was provided entirely by a grant from the Dutch Cancer Society (UVA 2014-7000).",

keywords = "Communication skills training, Esophageal cancer, Gastric cancer, Intervention study, Prediction model, Risk communication",

author = "{van de Water}, {L. F.} and Kuijper, {S. C.} and I. Henselmans and {van Alphen}, {E. N.} and Kooij, {E. S.} and Calff, {M. M.} and Beerepoot, {L. V.} and J. Buijsen and Eshuis, {W. J.} and Geijsen, {E. D.} and Havenith, {S. H. C.} and Heesakkers, {F. F. B. M.} and S. Mook and K. Muller and Post, {H. C.} and H. R{\"u}tten and M. Slingerland and {van Voorthuizen}, T. and {van Laarhoven}, {H. W. M.} and Smets, {E. M. A.}",

note = "Funding Information: Financial support for this study was provided entirely by a grant from the Dutch Cancer Society (UVA 2014-7000). The funding agreement ensured the authors{\textquoteright} independence in designing the study, interpreting and analyzing the data, writing and publishing the report. LvdW, SK, EvA and EK had full access to all data reported in the manuscript. LvdW, HvL and ES take responsibility for the decision to submit for publication. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 The Author(s)",

year = "2023",

month = oct,

day = "1",

doi = "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102244",

language = "English",

volume = "64",

journal = "EClinicalMedicine",

issn = "2589-5370",

publisher = "Lancet Publishing Group",

}

van de Water, LF , Kuijper, SC , Henselmans, I, van Alphen, EN, Kooij, ES, Calff, MM, Beerepoot, LV, Buijsen, J, Eshuis, WJ , Geijsen, ED, Havenith, SHC, Heesakkers, FFBM, Mook, S, Muller, K, Post, HC, Rütten, H, Slingerland, M, van Voorthuizen, T, van Laarhoven, HWM & Smets, EMA 2023, 'Effect of a prediction tool and communication skills training on communication of treatment outcomes: a multicenter stepped wedge clinical trial (the SOURCE trial)', EClinicalMedicine, vol. 64, 102244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102244

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effect of a prediction tool and communication skills training on communication of treatment outcomes

T2 - a multicenter stepped wedge clinical trial (the SOURCE trial)

AU - van de Water, L. F.

AU - Kuijper, S. C.

AU - Henselmans, I.

AU - van Alphen, E. N.

AU - Kooij, E. S.

AU - Calff, M. M.

AU - Beerepoot, L. V.

AU - Buijsen, J.

AU - Eshuis, W. J.

AU - Geijsen, E. D.

AU - Havenith, S. H. C.

AU - Heesakkers, F. F. B. M.

AU - Mook, S.

AU - Muller, K.

AU - Post, H. C.

AU - Rütten, H.

AU - Slingerland, M.

AU - van Voorthuizen, T.

AU - van Laarhoven, H. W. M.

AU - Smets, E. M. A.

N1 - Funding Information: Financial support for this study was provided entirely by a grant from the Dutch Cancer Society (UVA 2014-7000). The funding agreement ensured the authors’ independence in designing the study, interpreting and analyzing the data, writing and publishing the report. LvdW, SK, EvA and EK had full access to all data reported in the manuscript. LvdW, HvL and ES take responsibility for the decision to submit for publication. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s)

PY - 2023/10/1

Y1 - 2023/10/1

N2 - Background: For cancer patients to effectively engage in decision making, they require comprehensive and understandable information regarding treatment options and their associated outcomes. We developed an online prediction tool and supporting communication skills training to assist healthcare providers (HCPs) in this complex task. This study aims to assess the impact of this combined intervention (prediction tool and training) on the communication practices of HCPs when discussing treatment options. Methods: We conducted a multicenter intervention trial using a pragmatic stepped wedge design (NCT04232735). Standardized Patient Assessments (simulated consultations) using cases of esophageal and gastric cancer patients, were performed before and after the combined intervention (March 2020 to July 2022). Audio recordings were analyzed using an observational coding scale, rating all utterances of treatment outcome information on the primary outcome–precision of provided outcome information–and on secondary outcomes–such as: personalization, tailoring and use of visualizations. Pre vs. post measurements were compared in order to assess the effect of the intervention. Findings: 31 HCPs of 11 different centers in the Netherlands participated. The tool and training significantly affected the precision of the overall communicated treatment outcome information (p = 0.001, median difference 6.93, IQR (−0.32 to 12.44)). In the curative setting, survival information was significantly more precise after the intervention (p = 0.029). In the palliative setting, information about side effects was more precise (p < 0.001). Interpretation: A prediction tool and communication skills training for HCPs improves the precision of treatment information on outcomes in simulated consultations. The next step is to examine the effect of such interventions on communication in clinical practice and on patient-reported outcomes. Funding: Financial support for this study was provided entirely by a grant from the Dutch Cancer Society (UVA 2014-7000).

AB - Background: For cancer patients to effectively engage in decision making, they require comprehensive and understandable information regarding treatment options and their associated outcomes. We developed an online prediction tool and supporting communication skills training to assist healthcare providers (HCPs) in this complex task. This study aims to assess the impact of this combined intervention (prediction tool and training) on the communication practices of HCPs when discussing treatment options. Methods: We conducted a multicenter intervention trial using a pragmatic stepped wedge design (NCT04232735). Standardized Patient Assessments (simulated consultations) using cases of esophageal and gastric cancer patients, were performed before and after the combined intervention (March 2020 to July 2022). Audio recordings were analyzed using an observational coding scale, rating all utterances of treatment outcome information on the primary outcome–precision of provided outcome information–and on secondary outcomes–such as: personalization, tailoring and use of visualizations. Pre vs. post measurements were compared in order to assess the effect of the intervention. Findings: 31 HCPs of 11 different centers in the Netherlands participated. The tool and training significantly affected the precision of the overall communicated treatment outcome information (p = 0.001, median difference 6.93, IQR (−0.32 to 12.44)). In the curative setting, survival information was significantly more precise after the intervention (p = 0.029). In the palliative setting, information about side effects was more precise (p < 0.001). Interpretation: A prediction tool and communication skills training for HCPs improves the precision of treatment information on outcomes in simulated consultations. The next step is to examine the effect of such interventions on communication in clinical practice and on patient-reported outcomes. Funding: Financial support for this study was provided entirely by a grant from the Dutch Cancer Society (UVA 2014-7000).

KW - Communication skills training

KW - Esophageal cancer

KW - Gastric cancer

KW - Intervention study

KW - Prediction model

KW - Risk communication

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85171754525&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102244

DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102244

M3 - Article

C2 - 37781156

SN - 2589-5370

VL - 64

JO - EClinicalMedicine

JF - EClinicalMedicine

M1 - 102244

ER -

Effect of a prediction tool and communication skills training on communication of treatment outcomes: a multicenter stepped wedge clinical trial (the SOURCE trial)

Abstract

Keywords

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