INTERACT-CANCER. The development and evaluation of a computer-assisted course on communication skills for medical specialists in oncology

Abstract

One of the main problems in training medical specialists in communication skills is the fact that very few specialists participate in such courses. Most courses on communication skills are hard to combine with a busy medical practice because of the course attendance requirement on working days. Interact-Cancer has been developed to facilitate training in communication skills for medical specialists. It is an interactive, computer-assisted course, which fits relatively easily into the busy schedule of medical specialists in oncology because of its flexible character. The course can be followed individually by the participant in his/her own department at suitable periods of time. Interact-Cancer has introduced a new training method. In this study, the appeal of the method to the target group has been tested. Thirty-three medical specialists participated in Interact-Cancer. They evaluated the course as worthwhile, relevant to daily oncological practice, attractive and pleasant. They stated that the course brought inadequacies in their own behaviour to their attention and encouraged them to change their communicative behaviour.