Qu’est-ce qu’un patient attend de nous, médecin généraliste ?

Conference given outside the academic context (2007)

L’Inventaire Systémique de Qualité de Vie pour Enfants (ISQV-E©) : Premiers éléments de validation

Conference (2007, June)

Les difficultés de pratiquer en multidisciplinarité (ou interdisciplinarité) dans le contexte des soins palliatifs.

Article for general public (2007)

La qualité de vie infantile : état actuel des connaissances

in Revue Francophone de Clinique Comportementale et Cognitive (2007), 12(4), 14-27

The aim of this article is to analyse the concept of the children’s quality of life (QOL) on the basis of two main lines: the conceptual and methodological problems. The conceptual study highlights the ... [more ▼]

The aim of this article is to analyse the concept of the children’s quality of life (QOL) on the basis of two main lines: the conceptual and methodological problems. The conceptual study highlights the absence of QOL consensual definition as well as the weak development of the theoretical frameworks subjacent with the various instruments. The existing tools consider mainly the QOL evaluation in terms of State without taking into account the goalsand priorities of the children. The methodological study examines psychometric qualities of the tools. These are more and more developed via self-reporting, what requires to take into account the state of development of the child. Lastly, the study of this QOL concept is illustrated through the examination of the three types of instruments: generic, specific, modular. The discussion of the conceptual and methodological data leads to a wish to develop a new QOL tool. The evaluation would be carried out there in terms of Gap, with study of the concept of Goal for the child. [less ▲]

Teaching communication and stress management skills to junior physicians dealing with cancer patients: the Belgian interuniversity project

in Psycho-Oncology (2006, October), 15(2, Suppl. S), 326

Factors that influence cancer patients' anxiety following a medical consultation: impact of a communication skills training programme for physicians

in Annals of Oncology (2006), 17(9), 1450-1458

Background: No study has yet assessed the impact of physicians' skills acquisition after a communication skills training programme on the evolution of patients' anxiety following a medical consultation ... [more ▼]

Background: No study has yet assessed the impact of physicians' skills acquisition after a communication skills training programme on the evolution of patients' anxiety following a medical consultation. This study aimed to compare the impact, on patients' anxiety, of a basic communication skills training programme (BT) and the same programme consolidated by consolidation workshops (CW), and to investigate physicians' communication variables associated with patients' anxiety. Patients and methods: Physicians, after attending the BT, were randomly assigned to CW or to a waiting list. The control group was not a non-intervention group. Consultations with a cancer patient were recorded. Patients' anxiety was assessed with the State Trait Anxiety Inventory before and after a consultation. Communication skills were analysed according to the Cancer Research Campaign Workshop Evaluation Manual. Results: No statistically significant change over time and between groups was observed. Mixed-effects modelling showed that a decrease in patients' anxiety was linked with screening questions (P = 0.045), physicians' satisfaction about support given (P = 0.004) and with patients' distress (P < 0.001). An increase in anxiety was linked with breaking bad news (P = 0.050) and with supportive skills (P = 0.013). No impact of the training programme was observed. Conclusions: This study shows the influence of some communication skills on the evolution of patients' anxiety. Physicians should be aware of these influences. [less ▲]

Teaching communication and stress management skills to junior physicians dealing with cancer patients: a Belgian Interuniversity Curriculum

in Supportive Care in Cancer (2006), 14(5), 454-461

Background: Ineffective physicians' communication skills have detrimental consequences for patients and their relatives, such as insufficient detection of psychological disturbances, dissatisfaction with ... [more ▼]

Background: Ineffective physicians' communication skills have detrimental consequences for patients and their relatives, such as insufficient detection of psychological disturbances, dissatisfaction with care, poor compliance, and increased risks of litigation for malpractice. These ineffective communication skills also contribute to everyday stress, lack of job satisfaction, and burnout among physicians. Literature shows that communication skills training programs may significantly improve physicians' key communication skills, contributing to improvements in patients' satisfaction with care and physicians' professional satisfaction. This paper describes a Belgian Interuniversity Curriculum (BIC) theoretical roots, principles, and techniques developed for junior physicians specializing in various disciplines dealing with cancer patients. Curriculum description: The 40-h training focuses on two domains: stress management skills and communication skills with cancer patients and their relatives. The teaching method is learner-centered and includes a cognitive, behavioral, and affective approach. The cognitive approach aims to improve physicians' knowledge and skills on the two domains cited. The behavioral approach offers learners the opportunity to practice these appropriate skills through practical exercises and role plays. The affective approach allows participants to express attitudes and feelings that communicating about difficult issues evoke. Such an intensive course seems to be necessary to facilitate the transfer of learned skills in clinical practice. Conclusions: The BIC is the first attempt to bring together a stress management training course and a communication training course that could lead not only to communication skills improvements but also to burnout prevention. [less ▲]

L'aide à l'arrêt du tabagisme : la réussite au long terme

in Revue Médicale de Liège (2006), 61(1), 27-30

This review deals with the pharmacological and psychological means to help in smoking cessation and compares the efficacy of the different methods. Pharmacological support results in a smoking cessation ... [more ▼]

This review deals with the pharmacological and psychological means to help in smoking cessation and compares the efficacy of the different methods. Pharmacological support results in a smoking cessation rate reaching at best 20-25%. The efficacy of behavioural and cognitive therapy have been much less validated so far. Multidisciplinary specialized centres for helping smokers have been raised under the care of FARES in the French Community of Belgium. [less ▲]

Teaching communication and stress management skills to junior physicians dealing with cancer patients: a Belgian Interuniversity Curriculum.

in Supportive Care in Cancer (2006), 14(5), 454-61

BACKGROUND: Ineffective physicians' communication skills have detrimental consequences for patients and their relatives, such as insufficient detection of psychological disturbances, dissatisfaction with ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: Ineffective physicians' communication skills have detrimental consequences for patients and their relatives, such as insufficient detection of psychological disturbances, dissatisfaction with care, poor compliance, and increased risks of litigation for malpractice. These ineffective communication skills also contribute to everyday stress, lack of job satisfaction, and burnout among physicians. Literature shows that communication skills training programs may significantly improve physicians' key communication skills, contributing to improvements in patients' satisfaction with care and physicians' professional satisfaction. This paper describes a Belgian Interuniversity Curriculum (BIC) theoretical roots, principles, and techniques developed for junior physicians specializing in various disciplines dealing with cancer patients. CURRICULUM DESCRIPTION: The 40-h training focuses on two domains: stress management skills and communication skills with cancer patients and their relatives. The teaching method is learner-centered and includes a cognitive, behavioral, and affective approach. The cognitive approach aims to improve physicians' knowledge and skills on the two domains cited. The behavioral approach offers learners the opportunity to practice these appropriate skills through practical exercises and role plays. The affective approach allows participants to express attitudes and feelings that communicating about difficult issues evoke. Such an intensive course seems to be necessary to facilitate the transfer of learned skills in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: The BIC is the first attempt to bring together a stress management training course and a communication training course that could lead not only to communication skills improvements but also to burnout prevention. [less ▲]

Manuel de formation à la gestion du stress et à la communication avec des patients cancéreux et leurs proches

in CHASSEIGNE, Gérard (Ed.) Stress, santé, société (2006)