Dataset Information

Training physicians in providing complex information to patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomised controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate the effect of a specific communication training for neurologists on how to provide complex information about treatment options to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Design

Single-centre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial.

Setting

One university hospital in Norway.

Participants

Thirty-four patients with early-stage MS.

Intervention

A 3-hour training for neurologists on how to provide complex information about MS escalation therapy.

Main outcome measures

Patient recall rate, measured with a reliable counting system of provided and recalled information about drugs.

Secondary outcome measures

Number of information units provided by the physicians. Effects on patient involvement through questionnaires.

Methods

Patients with MS were instructed to imagine a disease development and were randomised and blinded to meet a physician to receive information on escalation therapy, before or after the physician had participated in a 3-hour training on how to provide complex information. Consultations and immediate patient recall interviews were video-recorded and transcribed verbatim.

Results

Patient recall rate was 0.37 (SD=0.10) pre-intervention and 0.39 (SD=0.10) post-intervention. The effect of the intervention on recall rate predicted with a general linear model covariate was not significant (coefficient parameter 0.07 (SE 0.04, 95% CI (-0.01 to 0.15)), p=0.099).The physicians tended to provide significantly fewer information units after the training, with an average of 91.0 (SD=30.3) pre-intervention and 76.5 (SD=17.4) post-intervention; coefficient parameter -0.09 (SE 0.02, 95% CI (-0.13 to -0.05)), p<0.001. There was a significant negative association between the amount of provided information and the recall rate (coefficient parameter -0.29 (SE 0.05, 95% CI (-0.39 to -0.18)), p<0.001). We found no significant effects on patient involvement using the Control Preference Scale, Collaborate or Four Habits Patient Questionnaire.

Conclusion

A brief course for physicians on providing complex information reduced the amount of information provided, but did not improve patient recall rate.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN42739508.

SUBMITTER: Nordfalk JM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8928319 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Training physicians in providing complex information to patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomised controlled trial.

Nordfalk Jenny M JM Holmøy Trygve T Thomas Owen O Nylenna Magne M Gulbrandsen Pal P

BMJ open 20220315 3

<h4>Objective</h4>To evaluate the effect of a specific communication training for neurologists on how to provide complex information about treatment options to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).<h4>Design</h4>Single-centre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial.<h4>Setting</h4>One university hospital in Norway.<h4>Participants</h4>Thirty-four patients with early-stage MS.<h4>Intervention</h4>A 3-hour training for neurologists on how to provide complex information about MS escalation ther ...[more]

PMID: 35292486

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Dataset Information

Training physicians in providing complex information to patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Intervention

Main outcome measures

Secondary outcome measures

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Trial registration number

Publications

Training physicians in providing complex information to patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomised controlled trial.

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