Development of good practice points for oral communication in oncology services. Strategy and outcomes

Abstract

Objective: To reach consensus on Codes of Best Practices, applicable to Health Care Services, to improve communication with cancer patients and their families. Methods: Evidence-based health care methodology has been used to elaborate this code. The situation in the Hospitals of the Andalusian Health Service has been analyzed, through: a) a study on professionals perspectives (difficulties, proposals of improvement and training needs) concerning communication with patients and their families; b) analysis of the quality of additional support materials; c) Patients focus groups to obtain their opinion on the communication with health professionals. Finally to elaborate the planning document, a participation and debate methodology has been followed among a wide group of professionals. Results: A code is created with 10 basic principles, that include improvement areas going from aspects that depend on health professionals to aspects related to health care organisation or the environment in which health care is given. Each principle is followed by a comment justifying its importance and recommendations that will allow its implementation. Conclusions: This code pretends to be a work tool that will allow health care deliberation on how they are carrying out this communication and will stimulate discussion between all the professionals involved, with the fi nal aim of each health care service formulating their own Communication Plan.