Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41132314›Full record

ArticlePalliative medicine reports2025

Testing the ABCs of Serious Illness Program for Oncology Trainees: A Feasibility Trial Comparing Different Learning Formats for a Virtual Communication Curriculum.

Oren Levine, Jeff Myers, Shilpa Jyothi Kumar, Daryl Bainbridge, Leah Steinberg, Nadia Incardona, Ghazaleh Kazemi, Hsien Seow

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Palliative medicine reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Oren LevineDepartment of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
Jeff MyersDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6769-2783
Shilpa Jyothi KumarDepartment of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
Daryl BainbridgeDepartment of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9249-8229
Leah SteinbergDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Nadia IncardonaDepartment of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Ghazaleh KazemiDepartment of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
Hsien SeowDepartment of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6701-1714

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: ABCs (All providers, Better Communication skills) of serious illness communication is a novel curriculum that could enhance postgraduate oncology training. The program combines electronic learning modules (ELMs), standardized patient (SP) encounters, and coaching, all in a virtual format. We assessed feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing different training experiences. Methods: We conducted a pilot for a RCT at three academic centers. Postgraduate oncology trainees were randomized to complete ELMs and SP encounters with coaching (intervention arm) versus ELMs only (control arm). Feasibility measures comprised the primary analysis. Secondary analyses explored the impact of different training experiences. Outcomes were measured through pre- and post-intervention simulation-based assessments (COM-ON rating scale), and surveys rating self-efficacy (End-of-Life Professional Caregiver Survey [EPCS] score) and satisfaction. Results: Twenty-three learners participated (37% recruitment). Adherence was 100% and data collection was near complete. All feasibility metrics were met except for the recruitment target of 75%. Self-efficacy ratings improved from baseline (EPCS score increased significantly ( Conclusions: Recruitment was below target, but study activities were feasible in virtual format. The curriculum improved communication skills. The addition of virtual SPs and coaching optimized learning. The curriculum was associated with improved self-efficacy rating for serious illness communication with oncology patients. Lessons learned will support further medical education research in this area.

Indexed as

communicationmedical educationoncologypalliative careserious illness conversationvirtual training

Identifiers

PMID41132314
PMCPMC12543435

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.