Communication between cancer patients and physicians.
A total of 185 practicing physicians in middle Tennessee responded to a questionnaire regarding their communication patterns with cancer patients. This represented 61% of a total of 320 area physicians to whom questionnaires were mailed. Nearly 98% of responding physicians always or usually inform patients that they have cancer. No difference in communication was noted as a function of specialty or age. A number of terms are used at different times during the course of a patient's illness.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013714:Tennessee; D014342:Truth Disclosure