Interpersonal skill development for person-centred oncology practice: A scoping review of educational interventions

To map and synthesise the available evidence on educational interventions designed to develop interpersonal skills among oncology healthcare professionals in support of person-centred practice.

This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework and was reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Citations were retrieved from PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Web of Science, PsycINFO, TRIP, Bielefeld Academic Search Engine, Open Access Theses and Dissertations and ProQuest. Primary literature published in English or Spanish between 2014 and 2025 reporting on educational interventions targeting healthcare professionals in oncology settings and focusing on interpersonal skills was included. Critical appraisal was conducted and intervention characteristics and outcomes were analysed using thematic synthesis.

Of 1511 records identified, 29 reports representing 25 studies met the inclusion criteria. Although most reports (90%) emphasised the importance of interpersonal skills for person-centred practice, only one was explicitly grounded in a conceptual framework. Interventions primarily addressed emotional intelligence (21%), communication (55%) and negotiation (24%), frequently employing multifaceted approaches such as simulation and role play. Outcomes were predominantly evaluated at Kirkpatrick's learning level and demonstrated positive effects on skill acquisition and professional confidence. However, assessments of long-term behavioural change and patient-level outcomes remained limited.

Interpersonal skills are fundamental to nursing practice and central to therapeutic relationships in oncology care. Existing interventions demonstrate potential for enhancing interpersonal skills, although they are often fragmented and lack theoretical grounding. To address these limitations, a stepped pedagogical framework integrating emotional intelligence, communication and negotiation within person-centred practice is proposed to support sustained improvements in clinical practice.