Patient participation in discussing palliative radiotherapy.
Cancer patients' participation in doctor-patient interactions has been shown to be an important factor in the emotional processing of their condition, particularly when only palliative treatments can be offered. In this study, we assessed incurable cancer patients' participation in initial consultations with their radiation oncologists (ROs). RO stimulation of patient participation and discussions about treatment decisions were also measured. The entire consultation was videotaped and analyzed using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). Patients' participation proved to be low on medical information, but high on discussing their experiences and life circumstances. The ROs stimulated patient participation mainly by providing medical information and giving patients opportunities to tell their stories. Decisions about radiation treatment had previously taken place and were rarely discussed in the consultations studied. The results suggest that patient participation in palliative treatment consultations might be improved for facilitating patients' emotional processing of the incurable nature of their cancer.
Timmermans
Liesbeth M
LM
Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. l.timmermans@cukz.umcn.nl
van der Maazen
Richard W M
RW
Verhaak
Christianne M
CM
van Roosmalen
Mariëlle S
MS
van Daal
Willem A J
WA
Kraaimaat
Floris W
FW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D018447:Medical Futility; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D018787:Radiation Oncology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013637:Tape Recording; D014342:Truth Disclosure