How COVID-19 Is Testing and Evolving Our Communication Skills

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiotherapy
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid adaptation in healthcare delivery.
• Increased pressure on healthcare professionals required innovative solutions for patient care.
• Maintaining compassionate, patient-centered care remotely became a priority.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the adaptation of UK radiotherapy departments to remote patient care.
• To explore the transition of radiation therapist-led clinics to telephone-based services.
• To identify challenges and positive outcomes of remote care delivery.

Main Methods:

• Radiation therapist (review radiographer)-led clinics were converted to telephone-based consultations.
• Strategies were implemented to create a "virtual" clinic environment.
• Communication skills were adapted to compensate for the lack of nonverbal cues in phone consultations.

Main Results:

• Remote telephone clinics were successfully established in UK radiotherapy departments.
• Healthcare professionals adapted communication strategies for phone-based interactions.
• Patients reported positive outcomes, including earlier identification of health changes.

Conclusions:

• Adaptation to remote care models is feasible and can maintain patient-centeredness.
• Effective communication strategies are crucial for successful remote healthcare delivery.
• The pandemic, despite challenges, led to positive adaptations and patient benefits in radiotherapy services.