Brief training in psychological assessment and interventions skills for cancer care staff: a mixed methods evaluation of deliberate practice techniques

Unaddressed anxiety and depression is common among cancer patients and has significant adverse consequences. Cancer staff training is recommended for psychological assessment and interventions to address depression and anxiety, to increase access to psycho‐social oncology care. However, psychological skills training has a poor track‐record for improving clinical effectiveness. “Deliberate practice”, receiving feedback on therapeutic micro‐skills and rehearsing modifications, can enhance clinical effectiveness. This study applied deliberate practice to maximise benefits of brief psychological skills training for cancer care staff.

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