Physicians' patient-centeredness. An empirical evidence of the benefits of a communication skills training program.

Purpose. In oncology today, patient-centeredness is an important goal. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a basic communication skills training program (assessment skills included open questions, open directive questions and assessment questions and supportive skills included acknowledgment, empathy, negotiation and synthesis) on the association between physicians¿ use of assessment and supportive skills and patients¿ characteristics, that is, to test patient-centeredness.
Methods. Communication skills included assessment and supportive skills and were assessed during a consultation before and after a basic communication skills training program. Consultations were audio-recorded and transcribed. Assessment and supportive skills were rated according to the Cancer Research Campaign Workshop Evaluation Manual. Patients¿ characteristics were categorized as sociodemographic, socioprofessional, physical and psychological and were measured before and after the Basic Training Program.
Results. Sixty-three physicians were included. Before the Basic Training Program, physicians¿ supportive skills were associated with two patient sociodemographic characteristics: age and marital status. After the Basic Training Program, physicians¿ assessment skills were associated with two patient psychological characteristics: global state of Quality of Life and global goal of Quality of Life.
Discussion. This study showed that physicians¿ patient-centeredness can be improved with a Basic Training Program. Surprisingly, after the Basic Training Program, physicians focused more on patients' psychological characteristics and specifically on Quality of Life. There is a transfer of assessment skills to the clinical practice. This could approve adherence to medication and satisfaction.