Navigating Challenging Conversations Through the Cancer Trajectory: A Practical, Evidence-Based Approach for Oncology Clinicians

This two day intensive training course provides an overview of the importance of effective communication in clinical interactions and emphasizes evidence based communication skills and strategies to support clinicians in common challenging communication scenarios, particularly in the oncology setting. The course is being hosted by Memorial Sloan Kettering's Comskil Training Program and Research Laboratory, which is the nation's first formally structured communication initiative at a comprehensive cancer center.

The course is comprised of brief didactic lectures as well as small group experiential role plays. The didactics feature exemplary videos, demonstrating the communication skills and strategies taught in the lecture, and present an overview of a "blueprint" or roadmap for navigating challenging communication scenarios. The small group role play exercises, which include interaction with standardized patients and are run by trained facilitators, provide an opportunity for learners to practice the communication skills and strategies in a variety of clinically sensitive and relevant situations. The role plays are tailored to the trainee's clinical population as well as their individual learning goal. Trainees will receive verbal feedback from peers and facilitators and will have an opportunity to observe their role play through video playback. While the curriculum has been developed for clinicians providing cancer care, it can be readily adapted for professionals in hospice settings and for those treating patients with HIV/AIDs as well as other chronic and life-threatening diseases.

Training Location

Please note this course will be held at the Department of Psychiatry: 641 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY (get directions).

1. Describe the significance of communication skills training and the rationale for the use of role play in training
2. Learn to identify empathic opportunities in clinical encounters and understand the principles of an empathic response
3. Practice and implement foundational communication skills and process tasks necessary and relevant for discussions with patients and families, on the following topics: 1. Discussing prognosis, 2. Discussing Death, Dying, and End of Life Goals of Care, 3. Engaging patients and family members in shared decision making for treatment options (including palliative care), 4. Communicating with non-English speaking patients via interpreters

In order to register for this course, you must first complete a Comskil Training Application. Applicants will receive a notification of their acceptance in the course as well as details for how to complete registration. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]. 

*Early Registration Rate Expires August 17, 2018
**Industry professionals may attend CME activities for their own education. Marketing, sales, and promotion of products and services is strictly prohibited at MSK CME activities.

Registration includes access to an online course syllabus (with downloadable PDF files), continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshment breaks. Please contact [email protected] at least one week prior to the course if you have any special dietary needs.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel your participation in this course, your registration fee, less a $75 administrative fee, will be refunded when email notification is received by the MSK Office of Continuing Medical Education (MSK CME) at least 7 days prior to the first day of the course ([email protected]).

Cancellations or no-shows after this date are not eligible for a refund. MSK CME reserves the right to cancel or postpone any course due to unforeseen circumstances. In the unlikely event we must cancel or postpone this course, we will refund the registration fee in full, but are not responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses to participants, including fees incurred by airline/travel/lodging agencies. At any time, you may substitute another registrant in your place after contacting MSK CME with the relevant information.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA Credit Designation Statement

MSK designates this live activity for a maximum of 14.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Social Work Accreditation Statement

This presentation is approved for a maximum of 14.5 Continuing Education Contact Hours of Live In-Person Training. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0228.

MSK Course Director

Patricia A. Parker, PhD
Director, Communication Skills Training and Research Program

MSK Course Faculty and Facilitators

Kelley Anderson, RN  
Clinical Nurse III
Outpatient Services

Smita Banerjee, PhD  
Assistant Attending 
Behavioral Scientist        

Philip Bialer, MD 
Attending Psychiatrist

Nessa Coyle, PhD, RN, FAAN
Consultant, Palliative Care and Clinical Ethics

Matthew N. Doolittle, MD
Assistant Attending
Psychiatrist

Jeffrey Freedman, MD
Associate Attending 
Psychiatrist 

Rebecca Guest, MD, MPH, FACOEM
Associate Medical Director, Employee Wellness
Assistant Attending Physician
Department of Medicine
Division of Survivorship & Supportive Care
Employee Health & Wellness Services

Shira Hichenberg, MA
Comskil Program Manager
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Julia Kearney, MD
Assistant Professor, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Clinical Director, Pediatric PsychoOncology Program

Daniel McFarland, DO
Instructor, Department of Medicine 

Marsha Reyngold, MD
Assistant Attending
Radiation Oncology

David Sarfati, LCSW
Patient Access Service
MSK Direct Social Worker

Stacy Stabler, MD, PhD
Assistant Attending, Medicine
Supportive Care Service

Deborah Stein, ACNP-BC, CCRN
Clinical Program Director, NP Fellowship
Critical Care Service

Talia Zaider, PhD
Assistant Attending Psychologist
Director, Family Therapy Clinic

Faculty Disclosures (All Faculty)