Comparison 4.

CST vs no CST: subgrouped by HCP type

Outcome or subgroup title	No. of studies	No. of participants	Statistical method	Effect size
1 Used open questions	4	599	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.34 [0.07, 0.61]
1.1 Doctors	2	306	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.27 [0.05, 0.50]
1.2 Nurses	2	293	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.41 [‐0.23, 1.06]
2 Clarified and/or summarised	2	342	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.01 [‐0.47, 0.48]
2.1 Doctors	1	120	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.30 [‐0.66, 0.06]
2.2 Nurses	1	222	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.28 [‐0.45, 1.02]
3 Elicited concerns	2	191	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.31 [‐0.10, 0.72]
3.1 Doctors	1	120	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.15 [‐0.33, 0.63]
3.2 Nurses	1	71	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.61 [0.14, 1.09]
4 Showed empathy	5	647	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.21 [0.05, 0.36]
4.1 Doctors	3	354	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.22 [0.01, 0.43]
4.2 Nurses	2	293	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	0.19 [‐0.04, 0.42]
5 Gave appropriate information	2	342	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.09 [‐0.31, 0.12]
5.1 Doctors	1	120	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.02 [‐0.38, 0.34]
5.2 Nurses	1	222	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.13 [‐0.40, 0.14]
6 Gave facts only	4	599	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.21 [‐0.54, 0.12]
6.1 Doctors	2	306	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.19 [‐0.74, 0.37]
6.2 Nurses	2	293	Std. Mean Difference (IV, Random, 95% CI)	‐0.24 [‐0.65, 0.17]