The COMFORT Model
The COMFORT Model is available as a teachable curriculum consisting of 7 modules. The graphic on this page is an overview of the curriculum by module. Each module has been designed to meet learning objectives for teaching communication attitude, knowledge, and skill. The curriculum has shown to improve self-efficacy, attitudes towards communication, and confidence and comfort in palliative care communication.
The COMFORT Communication Project, LLC provides online communication training based on the COMFORT Model and offers health communication resources developed through rigorous research. Resources are offered for free and should be given attribution. The following statement must be displayed prominently when using or disseminating instructional materials:
This resource is part of the COMFORT Communication Project, a national health communication program intended to improve communication in healthcare. Development of these resources have been funded in part by grants from the National Cancer Institute and Archstone Foundation. Materials are copyrighted and are used with permission. To learn more about the COMFORT Communication Project, LLC and additional resources, please visit www.CommunicateComfort.com.
Additional Resources
COMFORT Communication App
This is a smartphone application (app). As an mHealth translation of the COMFORT curriculum, it is designed to provide supportive communication tools for healthcare providers encountering communication challenges with patients, families, and team members. Written at a sixth-grade level, it offers practice suggestions to support healthcare providers. When tested, participants found it easy to use and navigate, indicating they would use the app with patients, families and other team members. A revised version now includes COVID-19 communication resources for providers.
Goldsmith, J., Wittenberg, E., Ferrell, B. (2015). An App to Support Difficult Interactions among Provider, Patient, and Family. Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology. 6(5), 479-483. doi: 10.6004/jadpro.2015.6.5.8
Plain Language Planner
This tool breaks down into plain language (both Spanish and English) common medications and treatments that cancer patients receive. It describes side effects that patients may experience in easy-to-understand words and gives, also in plain language, practical suggestions on how to prepare for treatment. In short, it removes the mystery from the long and complicated terms patients may hear in the course of their cancer journey. The COMFORT Plain Language Planner is available in hard copy and as part of the COMFORT Health Communication App. This application was tested on a group of 155 health care professionals and a comparison between written responses before and after the education sessions showed improvement in the use of plain language.
Wittenberg, E., Goldsmith, J., Ferrell, B., & Small Platt, C. (2015). Enhancing Communication Related to Symptom Management Through Plain Language: A Brief Report. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. [Epub ahead of print Jun 4, 2015]. doi: 10.1002/pon.3862.
Textbook of Palliative Care Communication
This text brings together clinicians and researchers and content was organized by the COMFORT principles. The editorial team includes co-founders of the COMFORT™ ℠ curriculum and chapters address health literacy and cultural communication, patient and family communication, barriers and approaches to palliative care with specific patient populations, advance care planning, and quality of life.
Download these powerpoint slides for teaching, research, or education on chapters from the Textbook of Palliative Care Communication. Summary slides are provided here for chapters in each section of the book.