Author:
Berardi Rossana,Parisi Alessandro,Maruzzo Marco,Bellani Marco,Beretta Giordano Domenico,Boldrini Mauro,Cavanna Luigi,Gori Stefania,Iannelli Elisabetta,Mancuso Anna Maria,Marinelli Massimiliano,Martinella Vera,Musso Michele,Papa Roberto,Russo Antonio,Tarantino Valentina,Taranto Mirella,Cinieri Saverio
Abstract
Abstract
Aim
To identify barriers between health and communication in oncology in order to promote the best possible practice. The areas of communication to be focused on are communication directly with the patient, communication within the scientific community, and communication with the media.
Material and methods
A working group including eminent experts from the national mass media, healthcare system, and patients’ advocacy has been established on behalf of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), with the aim of developing suitable recommendations for the best communication in oncology.
A literature search has been conducted selecting primary studies related to the best practices applied to communication in oncology. Subsequent to having identified the most representative statements, through a consensus conference using the RAND/University of California Los Angeles modified Delphi method, the panel evaluated the relevance of each statement to support useful strategies to develop effective communication between oncologist physicians and patients, communication within the scientific community, and communication with media outlets, including social media.
Results
A total of 292 statements have been extracted from 100 articles. Following an evaluation of relevance, it was found that among the 142 statements achieving the highest scores, 30 of these have been considered of particular interest by the panel.
Conclusions
This consensus and the arising document represent an attempt to strengthen the strategic alliance between key figures in communication, identifying high-impact recommendations for the management of communication in oncology with respect to patients, the wider scientific community, and the media.
Funder
Università Politecnica delle Marche
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC