ESTRO Guide 2018

Basic Clinical Communication in Oncology 15 - 17 June 2018 | Brussels, Belgium

NEW COURSE

TARGET GROUP The course is aimed at physicians working with cancer patients. COURSE AIM The aim is to equip physicians with basic knowledge about the communication skills necessary to handle frequently occurring challenges in cancer care: uncertainty, anxiety, emotional turbulence, delivery of complex information, and breaking bad news. The course will give an introduction to personal training planning at the workplace. LEARNINGOUTCOMES By the end of this course participants should: • Understand the basic mechanisms and structure in physician-patient discourse • Know how to prepare for and deliver complex information and bad news • Know how to handle uncertainty in a way that helps patients How to combine efficiency, empathy, information giving and shared decision-making in oncology encounters? The course will provide you with situational training and inspire post-course self- training.

SCHOOL

relatives, and bring a written account about their reflections describing: • What was difficult • Why it was difficult • Thoughts about how they could have handled it better. TEACHINGMETHODS • Approximately 3 hours of theory in plenary sessions • Approximately 17 hours of practical training in small groups.

• Knowhow to involve patients in decision-making • Be able to plan their own personal training when returning to the workplace.

COURSE CONTENT Brief communication theory in didactic chunks alternating with concrete practicing sessions.

PREREQUISITES Before commencing this course participants should reflect on at least three different challenging conversations they have had with patients and/or

60