Researchers in Japan, funded by grants for Exploratory Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and from the Pfizer Health Research Foundation, found that communication skills training for nurses reduced psychological distress and improved coping long-term among patients informed of their cancer diagnosis, according to the American Cancer Society.

Nurses who mainly provide patients with psychologic and informational support after being informed of their cancer diagnosis by physicians at a cancer screening center were randomly assigned to either an experimental (with training) or a control (without training) group; patients were supported by either group of nurses. The 89 patients were over 18 years old, with gastric, colorectal, or breast cancer that was not in an advanced stage. Intervention consisted of three one-on-one nurse interviews — on the day of, one week after, and one month after diagnosis. Effectiveness was assessed at one week, one month, and three months after diagnosis.

Analysis showed a group-by-time decrease in psychologic distress and fatalism, and a group-by-time increase in "fighting spirit" in the "with training" group.

To comment, e-mail editorNTL@gannetthg.com.