Empathic communication skills training: Randomized controlled trial to reduce lung cancer stigma in lung cancer care.

Abstract

TPS12152 Background: Stigma is commonly experienced by people diagnosed with lung cancer and is often triggered during clinical encounters with their oncology care provider (OCP), particularly associated with routine assessment of smoking history. Lung cancer stigma is associated with gaps in quality of care as well as poorer psychological and physical health-related outcomes for patients. The overall objective of this multi-site national clinical trial is to test whether an OCP-facing training intervention in empathic communication skills (ECS) reduces stigma and distress and promotes patient engagement. Our prior pilot work has demonstrated that the ECS intervention is both feasible and efficacious to reduce stigma during clinical encounters. Methods: This NCI-funded multi-site national trial employs a cluster randomized design comparing usual care (waitlist control) with ECS training (intervention). With outreach and site recruitment support provided by GO2 for Lung Cancer and the American Cancer Society, community oncology sites (n = 16) nationwide will be randomized 1:1 to each arm. 9-11 OCPs will be recruited per site with 6 unique patients per OCP enrolled (total 54-66 patients/site). Statistical analysis will evaluate the effect of ECS training on primary OCP outcomes (e.g., empathic skill uptake) and secondary patient-reported outcomes (e.g., psychological distress). The 2.5 hour ECS training is delivered live using a videoconference platform. The didactic content covers knowledge and consequences of stigma on patients with lung cancer and in-depth review of specific ECS strategies. Participants then engage in experiential small-group role-play sessions with trained patient actors, where they are given tailored feedback by trained facilitators and their peers. Eligible sites must have at least 15 OCPs and clinic volume of at least 20 new patients with lung cancer per month. Eligible OCPs (physicians, NPs and PAs) must currently be treating and conducting outpatient clinic consultations with at least 1 patient with lung cancer per week. Eligible patients must be receiving treatment for lung cancer, English and/or Spanish speaking, currently or formerly smoking, and have had no more than 5 prior visits with the participating OCP. Currently, this trial is open to accrual and has 5 sites across the nation completing paperwork for activation. Clinical trial information: NCT05456841 .