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Empathic Communication Skills Training for Lung Cancer Care

This study is testing a training program called Empathic Communication Skills (ECS) training. The goal of this training is to help oncology care providers (OCPs), such as doctors and nurses, communicate more empathetically with lung cancer patients. Researchers want to see if this training can help reduce feelings of stigma and distress in patients, and improve their overall experience and satisfaction with their care. The study will measure how well OCPs learn and use these communication skills and how patients feel about their interactions. This study is looking to enroll 1232 participants and is open to adults aged 18 to 100 years old.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 1232 participants. It compares Empathic Communication Skills (ECS) training to standard of care interactions.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary goals for communication and empathy skills are measured at 3 months.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05456841

Empathic Communication Skills (ECS) Training

Recruiting
NAAges 18+Interventional
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
~1,232 participants
Updated 2026-07-23 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Empathic Communication Skills (ECS) trainingStandard of Care participant interaction

At a glance

Recruiting sites
8 of 12 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Uptake of communication skills using standardized patient assessment/SPAs
Measured over 3 months
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Lung Cancer

Explore related trials

Lung Carcinoma

Where it's being run

12 sites across 9 states
Pennsylvania3
New York2
California1
Florida1
Illinois1
Kentucky1
Michigan1
New Jersey1

Study leadership

  • Smita Banerjee, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Who to contact

Smita Banerjee, PhD
[email protected]
646-888-0011
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Employs at least 15 FTE OCPs (i.e., oncologists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) as per self report
Reports a clinic volume of at least 20 new lung cancer patients per month as per self report
OCPs who are thoracic oncology physicians (radiologists, medical oncologists, pulmonologists, and surgeons), NPs, or PAs and currently treating lung cancer patients, as per self-report;
OCP conducts consultations with lung cancer patients, as per self-report;
OCP sees at least 1 lung cancer patient per week, as per self-report;
Patient under the care of a participating OCP as per self report;
English and/or Spanish speaking;
In general, which language do you prefer to receive your medical care, English/Spanish/both English and Spanish Equally?
If English, treat as fluent in English, no additional language questions
If Spanish, treat as fluent in Spanish, no additional language questions
If both English and Spanish equally, ask the follow-up questions and go with whichever language is endorsed as best. If endorsed equally, assign to category patient prefers
How well do you speak English? Not at all/ Not well/Well/Very well
How well do you speak Spanish? Not at all/Not well/Well/Very well
Is at least 18 years of age as per self report;
Has a history of suspicious lung mass or confirmed lung cancer diagnosis, as per clinician judgment or medical record note;
Is a former or current smoking as per self report;
Has had no more than 10 prior visits with the participating OCP, as per the medical record and/or self report

Exclusion

Individuals of impaired decision-making capacity as per a clinician's judgment or as documented in the EMR.
None

What this trial measures

  • Uptake of communication skills using standardized patient assessment/SPAs3 months

    A SPA involves a 12-minute video recorded interaction between the Oncology Care Provider/OCP and the Standardized Patient/SP on a given clinical scenario, using standardized scripts by the SP. Each OCP will participate in one SPA prior to their ECS training and one SPA following training or the timed control period. In contrast to clinical consultation recordings with varied clinical situations that do not necessitate the use of all strategies and skills, the semi-structured nature of SPAs permits appraisal of all desired elements of training.

  • Uptake of empathy skills using standardized patient assessment/SPAs3 months

    A SPA involves a 12-minute video recorded interaction between the Oncology Care Provider/OCP and the Standardized Patient/SP on a given clinical scenario, using standardized scripts by the SP. Each OCP will participate in one SPA prior to their ECS training and one SPA following training or the timed control period. In contrast to clinical consultation recordings with varied clinical situations that do not necessitate the use of all strategies and skills, the semi-structured nature of SPAs permits appraisal of all desired elements of training.