Patient-Clinician Communication: ASCO Guideline Update

Recommendations address core communication skills and tasks that apply across the continuum of cancer care, as well as specific topics such as discussion of goals of care and prognosis, treatment selection, end-of-life care, facilitating involvement of the patient's support network, and clinician training in communication skills. In addition, new topics addressed by this update include telehealth, interprofessional communication, and boundary setting. Recommendations are accompanied by suggested strategies for implementation. Full implementation of communication best practices will require that health systems provide adequate time, training, and support for clinicians.Additional information is available at www.asco.org/supportive-care-guidelines.