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Psychodynamic aspects of communication skills training: a pilot study

Favre, Nathalie ; Despland, Jean-Nicolas ; de Roten, Yves ; Drapeau, Martin ; Bernard, Mathieu ; Stiefel, Friedrich

In: Supportive Care in Cancer, 2007, vol. 15, no. 3, p. 333-337

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    Title
    • Psychodynamic aspects of communication skills training: a pilot study
    Author
    • Favre, Nathalie. Psychiatry Service, University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
    • Despland, Jean-Nicolas. Division of Psychotherapy Research, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne, Switzerland
    • de Roten, Yves. Division of Psychotherapy Research, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne, Switzerland
    • Drapeau, Martin. The Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry, Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital and McGill University, Montreal, Canada
    • Bernard, Mathieu. Division of Psychotherapy Research, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne, Switzerland
    • Stiefel, Friedrich. Psychiatry Service, University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:316537
    Summary
    Goals of work:: Communication between patients and oncology clinicians is a key element of cancer care. Emotionally charged consultations may trigger clinicians' defense mechanisms, protecting them from painful emotions. Defense mechanisms, however, may also hamper the recognition of patients' suffering. This pilot study aims to explore clinicians' defense mechanisms observed in communication skills training (CST). Patients and methods:: A verbatim transcription of videotaped interviews with simulated patients were evaluated before (N = 10) and after CST (N = 10) with the defense mechanism rating scales (DMRS). Main results:: A wide variety of defense mechanisms were observed such as obsessional (e.g. intellectualisation) or disavowal (e.g. denial or projection). Immature defense mechanisms decreased after CST. Conclusions:: A wide variety of defense mechanisms are operant in oncology clinicians facing challenging interviews with simulated patients. Defense mechanisms may be modified by CST