Factors influencing the communication of the diagnosis to patients who have cancer.
Medical attitudes and behaviors in communicating diagnoses to patients found to have cancer were investigated in a sample of 126 practitioners in Italy. The research aimed at analyzing the medical approach to oncology patients and how they were provided information about their cancers and relevant treatments. In particular, psychosocial factors influencing the physician's decision whether or not to inform the patient of the diagnosis were examined. The results showed a significant interaction between the working environment and the practitioner's perception of cancer, which can impinge on the decision whether to provide the patient with information.
Righetti
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A
Centro Studi e Ricerche per la Salute Mental, Pordenone, Italy.
Giorgio
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G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations