Anne-Sophie Gibon1, Jean-François Durieux2, Isabelle Merckaert1, Nicole Delvaux3, Christine Farvacques2, Yves Libert1, Serge Marchal2, Angélique Moucheux2, Jean-Louis Slachmuylder2, Darius Razavi4. 1. Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, Belgium; Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculté des Sciences Psychologiques et de l'Éducation, Brussels, Belgium. 2. Centre de Psycho-Oncologie, Brussels, Belgium. 3. Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculté des Sciences Psychologiques et de l'Éducation, Brussels, Belgium; Hôpital Universitaire Erasme, Service de Psychologie, Brussels, Belgium. 4. Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, Belgium; Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculté des Sciences Psychologiques et de l'Éducation, Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: drazavi@ulb.ac.be.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To test and compare the sensitivity to change of a communication analysis software, the LaComm 1.0, to the CRCWEM's using data from a randomized study assessing the efficacy of a communication skills training program designed for nurses. METHODS: The program assessment included the recording of two-person simulated interviews at baseline and after training or 3 months later. Interview transcripts were analyzed using the CRCWEM and the LaComm 1.0 tools. RESULTS: One hundred and nine oncology nurses (mainly graduated or certified) were included in the study. The CRCWEM detected 5 changes out of 13 expected changes (38%) (e.g., more open directive questions after training) and the LaComm 1.0, 4 changes out of 7 expected changes (57%) (e.g., more empathic statements after training). For open directive question, the effect sizes of the group-by-time changes were slightly different between tools (CRCWEM: Cohen's d=0.97; LaComm 1.0: Cohen's d=0.67). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the LaComm 1.0 is sensitive to change. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The LaComm 1.0 is a valid method to assess training effectiveness in French. The use of the Lacomm 1.0 in future French communication skills training programs will allow comparisons of studies.
OBJECTIVE: To test and compare the sensitivity to change of a communication analysis software, the LaComm 1.0, to the CRCWEM's using data from a randomized study assessing the efficacy of a communication skills training program designed for nurses. METHODS: The program assessment included the recording of two-person simulated interviews at baseline and after training or 3 months later. Interview transcripts were analyzed using the CRCWEM and the LaComm 1.0 tools. RESULTS: One hundred and nine oncology nurses (mainly graduated or certified) were included in the study. The CRCWEM detected 5 changes out of 13 expected changes (38%) (e.g., more open directive questions after training) and the LaComm 1.0, 4 changes out of 7 expected changes (57%) (e.g., more empathic statements after training). For open directive question, the effect sizes of the group-by-time changes were slightly different between tools (CRCWEM: Cohen's d=0.97; LaComm 1.0: Cohen's d=0.67). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the LaComm 1.0 is sensitive to change. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The LaComm 1.0 is a valid method to assess training effectiveness in French. The use of the Lacomm 1.0 in future French communication skills training programs will allow comparisons of studies.