Expectations and challenges for TeamOncology workshops

Abstract

Abstract Background Promoting team-based cancer care is required. J-TOP (Japan TeamOncology Program) is consisted of multidisciplinary medical staff and we regularly hold workshop (WS) to realize high-performance team in which the hospital and community are linked. The objective of this study is to clarify the challenges of WS format and facilitator training. Methods In May 2018, we conducted 14.75 hours of WS (lecture + group work [GW] + presentation) on 2 days. In the GW, participants were separated into 4 groups then discussed about ideal medical care on 1 case each. At last, case discussions were presented. The WS participants were asked 2 questionnaires before and after WS. The facilitators conducted WS after the preliminary training then answered 1 questionnaire. Results Of the 45 participants, doctors/ nurses/ pharmacists/ other medical professions (including medical social worker, nutritionist, and physiologist)/ survivors were 18/ 42/ 16/ 20/ 4%, respectively. Twenty-six (58%) of participants expected to improve communication skills. Expecting content was facilitator/ GW/ lecture (76/ 67/ 64%) in order. Percentage of satisfaction after WS of high/ moderate/ low/ no answer was overall: 80/ 13/ 0/ 7%, lecture: 78/ 15/ 0/ 7%, GW: 69/ 20/ 0/ 11%, and facilitator: 73/ 20/ 0/ 7%. Twelve facilitators consisted of 4 physicians/ nurses/ pharmacists were assigned to each of the 4 groups. All 9 facilitators who joined the preliminary training (100%) responded that the training was useful. Of 12 facilitators, the mean percentage who felt achieved was 77% on Human Needs-aware support, and 50% on Task Needsaware support and appropriate intervention, respectively. Conclusion In WS, expectations by participants for facilitators as well as lectures and GW were high, and pre-WS facilitator training is necessary. Establishing the way to train communication skills is a future challenge.