Communication in Cancer Care (2 credit hours)

Program Summary:  This updated course explores communication in cancer care and highlights the importance of effective, high-quality, bidirectional communication for patients and families.  The course examines the challenges involved in cancer-related communication and acknowledges that better models and strategies are needed.  Research findings, communication models, and demographic and cultural considerations are discussed.

This course is recommended for social workers and counselors and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  

“Book  Open the Course Reading Here.

Reading:  Communication in Cancer Care (PDQ) Publisher:  National Cancer Institute

Course Objectives:  To enhance professional practice, values, skills and knowledge by exploring communication in cancer care.

Learning Objectives:  Describe the importance of effective communication in cancer-related care.  Identify cultural considerations related to age, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.  Describe recommendations for effective cancer-related communication.

Review our pre-reading study guide.

Course Available Until: June 30, 2028.

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1: Which of the following seems to be an important determining factor for malpractice claims?
 
 
 
 
2: An often-cited, large, cross-sectional study of patients with advanced-stage cancer demonstrated that ___________ recalled discussing their end of life preferences with a clinician.
 
 
 
 
3: Models of communication tend to reflect
 
 
4: Using Table 1, which of the following is a special consideration for younger patients?
 
 
 
5: Using Table 1, which is a special consideration for race and ethnic minority patients?
 
 
 
6: Which of the following describes 'the degree to which individuals have the ability to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.'
 
 
 
 
7: Patients with high educational attainment also have high health literacy.
 
 
8: When communicating with patients with low literacy skills, the __________ should bear primary responsibility for ensuring that patients understand their medical situation.
 
 
9: When communicating with patients with low literacy skills, written information should be at the ____________ level or lower.
 
 
 
 
10: Which of the following is not preferable for use of language interpreters?
 
 
 
11: In one study, oncologists reported delivering bad news on average of ______________ times a month.
 
 
 
 
12: Which is the three-step strategy for facilitating open communication between clinicians and patients?
 
 
 
 
13: When discussing prognosis, which of the following factors correlate with increased information needs?
 
 
 
 
14: A consistent finding over the last two decades is that patients with advanced cancer are typically overly _______________ about their life expectancies or the potential for cure with cancer-directed therapies.
 
 
15: The patient's preferred approach to decision making is
 
 
 
 

In order to purchase or take this course, you will need to log in. If you do not have an account, you will need to register for a free account.

After you log in, a link will appear here that will allow you to purchase this course.

G.M. Rydberg-Cox, MSW, LSCSW is the Continuing Education Director at Free State Social Work and responsible for the development of this course.  She received her Masters of Social Work in 1996 from the Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois-Chicago and she has over 20 years of experience.  She has lived and worked as a social worker in Chicago, Boston, and Kansas City.  She has practiced for many years in the area of hospital/medical social work.  The reading materials for this course were developed by another organization.

Course Available Until: June 30, 2028.
Filed under: Aging, End of Life, Healthcare