Teams Talking Trials: results of an RCT to improve the communication of cancer teams about treatment trials

Abstract

Background: Previous research has shown that communication between members of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) is often suboptimal and communication about trials between MDTs and their patients is difficult. Educational interventions can help dyadic exchanges with different aspects of trial recruitment but less work has focussed on team interventions.

Methods: 22 multidisciplinary cancer teams in the UK participated in an RCT of a novel Teams Talking Trials (TTT) Workshop aimed at improving the following: awareness, involvement, communication and recruitment to cancer trials. MDTs were randomised following either 6 or 12 months of audits, which were repeated after the intervention. Audits included numbers approached about trials, team members' attitudes, involvement and awareness of their teams' trial portfolios.

Results: There was no significant difference in the rate of approaching patients about trials post workshop (estimated improvement 22% higher regression coefficient of 0.2, exp. (0.2)=1.22). There was improvement in team members' involvement in trials in 4 areas (p≤0.04): the pressure to enter patients into RCTs, the likelihood of a start-up meeting to discuss a newly accepted trial, the informational role played by individuals and recognition of this HCP's role by other team members. Also, confidence in communication about RCTS increased and awareness of different aspects of trial management improved on all 14 aspects (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Attendance by teams at focussed workshops designed to enhance communication and trial recruitment improved several aspects of team functioning, but a significant impact on the number of patients approached could not be demonstrated.