Communication skills training - Canadian breast cancer initiative experience

Elizabeth Whamond, Eleanor Nielsen

The National Forum on Breast Cancer, in 1993, brought together for the first time, women with breast cancer, clinicians, researchers, volunteers and health policy makers. One of the four priorities arising from the Forum was to enhance support of women with breast cancer and assist them in networking and advocacy activity. The Forum created the impetus for the Canadian Breast Cancer Initiative (CBCI), which was funded for 10 years by the Federal Government. Components of CBCI addressed breast cancer research, clinical practice, professional education, screening and early detection and community capacity building. While all incorporated the original four priorities, the Professional Education strategy concentrated on physician - patient communication.
There were always at least two consumers, women diagnosed with breast cancer, on the Professional Education Committee, and their role was significant in focusing the work of the committee. An early workshop brought together women with breast cancer and interested clinicians and faculty. Repeated examples of the negative impact of poor communication reinforced the committees goal to focus on communication skills training.
Under the guidance of skilled facilitators and with the assistance of trained faculty and clinicians, and the ever watchful eyes of the consumers, an excellent package of training materials was developed. All these items are currently available on Acrobat Reader through Health Canadas website: www.hc-sc.gc.ca . The package includes: Talking Tools I - Better Physician- Patient Communication for Better Patient Outcomes - an hour long interactive presentation kit to raise physicians awareness of the importance of communication. Talking Tools II - Putting Communication Skills to Work - a 3 hour interactive course focussed on communication skills. Talking with Your Doctor - Communication Basics for Cancer Patients - a workshop kit to be used in support groups. It Helps to Talk - Patient Guide: How to get the most from a visit to your doctor - a pamphlet It Helps to Talk - Doctors Guide: the 5 minute guide to better communication - a pamphlet.
While these materials were developed with breast cancer as the focus, they can be applied and used with any medical specialty.

Ottawa 2004 O-001