Supervision of Clinicians in Oncology by Psycho-oncologists : Evaluation (SCOPE)

Vaud University Hospital Center

Status: Invitation-only

Conditions: Healthy Participants

Treatments: Other: Supervision session

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07268378

KLS-6188-08-2024 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

SCOPE

Details and patient eligibility

About

Communication in the oncology setting involves cognitive as well as emotional challenges for both clinicians and patients, and interactional dimensions that emerge in their encounter. Supervision of oncology/haematology clinicians by psycho-oncologists is one of the most frequently used tools, which aims to enhance their communicative and relational competences, and at the same time to support them in their daily clinical work. However, little is known regarding its impact and how the supervisory process acts upon clinicians. This study thus aims to evaluate the efficacy of four 1-hour supervision sessions following a clinician-centred format, which allows supervisors to rapidly access supervisees' own difficulties in the encounter with certain patients. In addition, the supervisory process will be examined qualitatively by analysing in-depth audio-taped supervision sessions. The focus of analysis will be "what works" and "what does not". If beneficial effects are found, clinician-centred supervision -- thanks to its focused and time saving format -- could be realistically implemented for nurses and physicians working in the oncology and haematology settings. Effects are expected on clinicians' capacity to reflect on challenging encounters with patients, on potential negative feelings towards patients, and on clinicians' professional well-being. The clinician-centred supervision format could be easily taught to psycho-oncologists who wish to start supervising haematology and oncology clinicians. Clinicians who are less preoccupied with themselves, or with negative feelings towards their patients, have more supportive relationships with them, which is of utmost importance in critical settings such as oncology and haematology.

Enrollment: 62 estimated patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Physician or nurse in oncology or hematology
• Specialized in medical oncology or hematology

Exclusion criteria

• Participation to individual supervision by psycho-oncologists as part of the following training courses: CAS in psycho-oncology and course "Mieux Commu iquer"
• Participated in a study involving supervision by psycho-oncologists

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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62 participants in 2 patient groups

Supervision group (SPV)

Experimental group

Description:

As baseline assessments (T0), participants will complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and 5-day clinical situation recordings (measuring supervisee's reflexivity) in which they describe a clinical situation that has remained in their mind during the day. Each participant will then take part in four 60 min clinician-centred supervision sessions (bi-monthly supervisions). During each supervision, (i) clinicians' feelings toward the patients presented will be measured with the Feeling Word Checklist (FWC-58) at the beginning and end of each session, and (ii) specific aspect and the overall quality of the supervision wil be assessed with a 4-item ad-hoc questionnaire for both supervisee and the supervisor. Assessments performed at T0 will be repeated after the 2-month intervention (T1). Finally, the MBI will be administered at follow-up assessments 3 months (FU3) and 6 months (FU6) after T1.

Treatment:

Other: Supervision session

Waiting-control group (CTRL)

No Intervention group

Description:

As baseline assessments (T0), participants will complete the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and 5-day clinical situation recordings (measuring supervisee's reflexivity). The clinical situation recordings consist of describing a clinical situation that has remained in the clinician's mind during the day. They will then not receive supervisions during the 2-month waiting period. Assessments will be repeated after the 2-month waiting period (T1: MBI and 5-day clinical situation recordings) and follow-up evaluations with the MBI will take place at 3 months (FU3) and 6 months (FU6). After the trial period (i.e., after FU6), participants in this arm will be offered the opportunity to reveice the intervention.