Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Feb 23;31(3):184.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-07625-6.

Blended online learning for oncologists to improve skills in shared decision making about palliative chemotherapy: a pre-posttest evaluation

D W Bos-van den Hoek  1   2   3 , H W M van Laarhoven  4   5 , R Ali  6 , S D Bakker  7 , A Goosens  8 , M P Hendriks  9 , M J A E Pepels  10 , D Tange  11 , F Y F L de Vos  12 , A J van de Wouw  13 , E M A Smets  6   14   4 , I Henselmans  6   14   4
Affiliations

Blended online learning for oncologists to improve skills in shared decision making about palliative chemotherapy: a pre-posttest evaluation

D W Bos-van den Hoek et al. Support Care Cancer. .

Abstract

Purpose: To improve shared decision making (SDM) with advanced cancer patients, communication skills training for oncologists is needed. The purpose was to examine the effects of a blended online learning (i.e. e-learning and online training session) for oncologists about SDM in palliative oncological care and to compare this blended format with a more extensive, fully in-person face-to-face training format.

Methods: A one-group pre-posttest design was adopted. Before (T0) and after (T2) training, participants conducted simulated consultations (SPAs) and surveys; after the e-learning (T1), an additional survey was filled out. The primary outcome was observed SDM (OPTION12 and 4SDM). Secondary outcomes included observed SDM per stage, SPA duration and decision made as well as oncologists' self-reported knowledge, clinical behavioural intentions, satisfaction with the communication and evaluation of the training. Additionally, outcomes of the blended learning were compared with those of the face-to-face training cohort. Analyses were conducted in SPSS by linear mixed models.

Results: Oncologists (n = 17) showed significantly higher SDM scores after the blended online learning. The individual stages of SDM and the number of times the decision was postponed as well as oncologists' beliefs about capabilities, knowledge and satisfaction increased after the blended learning. Consultation duration was unchanged. The training was evaluated as satisfactory. When compared with the face-to-face training, the blended learning effects were smaller.

Conclusion: Blended online SDM training for oncologists was effective. However, the effects were smaller compared to face-to-face training. The availability of different training formats provides opportunities for tailoring training to the wishes and needs of learners.

Keywords: Communication; Continuing education; Neoplasms; Oncologists; Palliative care; Shared decision making.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study design
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Stiggelbout AM, Pieterse AH, De Haes JC. Shared decision making: concepts, evidence, and practice. Patient Educ Couns. 2015;98(10):1172–1179. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2015.06.022. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Gulbrandsen P, Clayman ML, Beach MC, et al. Shared decision-making as an existential journey: aiming for restored autonomous capacity. Patient Educ Couns. 2016;99(9):1505–1510. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2016.07.014. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Shay LA, Lafata JE. Where is the evidence? A systematic review of shared decision making and patient outcomes. Med Decis Making. 2015;35(1):114–131. doi: 10.1177/0272989X14551638. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Brom L, Pasman HR, Widdershoven GA, et al. Patients’ preferences for participation in treatment decision-making at the end of life: qualitative interviews with advanced cancer patients. PLoS One. 2014;9(6):e100435. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100435. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Driever EM, Stiggelbout AM, Brand PLP. Shared decision making: physicians’ preferred role, usual role and their perception of its key components. Patient Educ Couns. 2020;103(1):77–82. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.08.004. - DOI - PubMed