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Background: No communication skills training (CST) resources specifically targeting cultural competency in oncology healthcare are currently available. This project aimed to develop an online interactive CST program and assess its feasibility and potential efficacy in improving perceived competence of oncology health professionals (HPs) in communicating with people with cancer from minority backgrounds. Method(s): An online CST program providing strategies exemplified in vignettes-based professionally produced videos was developed through an iterative process with input from a large multidisciplinary team. The CST program was tested with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and oncology nurses. Participants were asked to complete self-report questionnaires at three time points-pre-CST program (baseline) and post-CST program, (a) 2 weeks after completion and (b) 3months later. Result(s): Fifty-four participants completed all three questionnaires and 53 of these were oncology nurses. Participants' evaluations of the programme were overwhelmingly positive. Ninety-six percent found the CST program was helpful in giving them an understanding of issues relating to working with patients from CALD backgrounds, and 83% stated that they have gained new skills in working with these patients. Ninety-one percent stated that they would recommend the program to their colleagues. Comparison of mean scores calculated from baseline (time period T1) to follow up surveys (time periods T2 and T3) showed that HPs increasingly felt that it was the relative responsibility of HPs and hospitals to adapt to needs of people from CALD backgrounds (mean scores T1 = 22.5 (SD: 3.7); T2 = 22.5 (SD: 3.2); T3 = 25.1 (SD: 2.5); P < 0.001). They perceived the program will bring positive change in their practise and their readiness to communicate in a culturally competent manner (mean scores T1 = 26.5 (SD: 2.1); T2 = 27.8 (SD: 1.5) T3 = 28 (SD: 1.6); P < 0.001). Conclusion(s): The programwas judge

Background: No communication skills training (CST) resources specifically targeting cultural competency in oncology healthcare are currently available. This project aimed to develop an online interactive CST program and assess its feasibility and potential efficacy in improving perceived competence of oncology health professionals (HPs) in communicating with people with cancer from minority backgrounds. Method(s): An online CST program providing strategies exemplified in vignettes-based professionally produced videos was developed through an iterative process with input from a large multidisciplinary team. The CST program was tested with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and oncology nurses. Participants were asked to complete self-report questionnaires at three time points-pre-CST program (baseline) and post-CST program, (a) 2 weeks after completion and (b) 3months later. Result(s): Fifty-four participants completed all three questionnaires and 53 of these were oncology nurses. Participants' evaluations of the programme were overwhelmingly positive. Ninety-six percent found the CST program was helpful in giving them an understanding of issues relating to working with patients from CALD backgrounds, and 83% stated that they have gained new skills in working with these patients. Ninety-one percent stated that they would recommend the program to their colleagues. Comparison of mean scores calculated from baseline (time period T1) to follow up surveys (time periods T2 and T3) showed that HPs increasingly felt that it was the relative responsibility of HPs and hospitals to adapt to needs of people from CALD backgrounds (mean scores T1 = 22.5 (SD: 3.7); T2 = 22.5 (SD: 3.2); T3 = 25.1 (SD: 2.5); P < 0.001). They perceived the program will bring positive change in their practise and their readiness to communicate in a culturally competent manner (mean scores T1 = 26.5 (SD: 2.1); T2 = 27.8 (SD: 1.5) T3 = 28 (SD: 1.6); P < 0.001). Conclusion(s): The programwas judge

Aim: Develop and evaluate a novel online training program designed to equip health professionals to communicate with cancer patients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds (CALD). Method(s): In Phase I of the study, medical and radiation oncologists and oncology nurses working in a clinical setting were interviewed in depth to investigate the main issues that health professionals working in oncology face with their CALD patients, as well as the communication strategies used to improve treatment outcomes. Findings from Phase I were used to guide the development of the content of the online intervention in Phase II. The website will be pilot tested using a prospective design with three questionnaire-based assessments. Result(s): Phase I: 38 oncologists and oncology nurses were interviewed and interviews were subjected to a rigorous qualitative analysis. The majority of participants believed that the main barrier to communication with CALD patients was one of language rather than culture. Interpreters were considered a vital resource; however, their availability was reported as varying greatly across health services. All participants reported that there was a dearth of available written resources, which reduced the quality of information being conveyed to CALD patients. The majority reported learning communication strategies from colleagues, or through their own experience, rather than formal training. Most participants felt that an online or workshop-based CST program focusing on the use of interpreters and cultural awareness in cancer care would be of value. Phase II: Program content development is now complete, and video production depicting model behaviours used with three key case-studies was completed in March 2015. Data collection for program evaluation will commence shortly, and evaluation data will be presented. Conclusion(s): Oncology health professionals reported several barriers to effective communication with CALD patients. All identified a need

Aim: Develop and evaluate a novel online training program designed to equip health professionals to communicate with cancer patients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds (CALD). Method(s): In Phase I of the study, medical and radiation oncologists and oncology nurses working in a clinical setting were interviewed in depth to investigate the main issues that health professionals working in oncology face with their CALD patients, as well as the communication strategies used to improve treatment outcomes. Findings from Phase I were used to guide the development of the content of the online intervention in Phase II. The website will be pilot tested using a prospective design with three questionnaire-based assessments. Result(s): Phase I: 38 oncologists and oncology nurses were interviewed and interviews were subjected to a rigorous qualitative analysis. The majority of participants believed that the main barrier to communication with CALD patients was one of language rather than culture. Interpreters were considered a vital resource; however, their availability was reported as varying greatly across health services. All participants reported that there was a dearth of available written resources, which reduced the quality of information being conveyed to CALD patients. The majority reported learning communication strategies from colleagues, or through their own experience, rather than formal training. Most participants felt that an online or workshop-based CST program focusing on the use of interpreters and cultural awareness in cancer care would be of value. Phase II: Program content development is now complete, and video production depicting model behaviours used with three key case-studies was completed in March 2015. Data collection for program evaluation will commence shortly, and evaluation data will be presented. Conclusion(s): Oncology health professionals reported several barriers to effective communication with CALD patients. All identified a need