 5.5. Statistical Analyses The primary outcome of the current study is the physicians increased communication performance after training during this encounter. A power analysis has been performed, based on a previous longitudinal study assessing physicians communication performance composite score in an encounter with a simulated advanced-stage cancer patient Mean 26; SD 8 54. This power analysis was conducted considering 4 independent conditions according to the time time 1 versus time 2 and the group experimental versus control group. As there is no previous study assessing the efficacy of an intensive communication skills training program on physicians communication about uncertainty and hope, it was hypothesized that physicians in the control group will maintain a stable performance score from time 1 to time 2. It was also hypothesized that physicians in the experimental group will improve their performance score by 20 from time 1 to time 2. Sample size calculation has been based on an 80 power, a one-sided α 0.05 t-test and an effect size of 0.65. Considering this power analysis, 60 evaluable physicians are therefore needed for the efficacy assessment. Considering a drop-out rate of 20, 12 physicians should be moreover recruited 72 physicians in total. It should be recalled at this level that one trainer only will conduct the training of the experimental group. Secondary, to assess also the CST program efficacy, group-by-time effects will be performed using generalized estimating equation GEE on psychological, physiological and communicational assessments performed during the encounter with the simulated patient. 