Breast cancer patients' expectations in respect of the physician-patient relationship and treatment management results of a survey of 617 patients.
BACKGROUND
The following study was conducted to explore patients' information needs and preferences with a special focus on doctor-patient communication.


METHODS
A 62-item questionnaire developed by a multidisciplinary team and validated in a phase-I study was given to breast cancer patients via the Internet (homepage) or in a hard copy version.


RESULTS
A total of 617 patients responded, 552 on line and 65 via the hard copy questionnaire. The median age of the on-line group was 47 (21-85) and 55 (40-92) in the hard copy group. Sixty-five per cent of the patients were treated with the intention of achieving a cure and 35% of the patients had metastatic disease. The median length of the consultation communicating the information 'You have breast cancer' was 15 min (0-300). The most effective and patient-relevant source of information about the disease and the treatment options was consultation with the physician (84%). When asked to suggest areas for improvement, patients' most common answers were: more complementary therapies should be offered by the physician (54%); physicians should take more time to explain things (51%); and cooperation between the physicians involved in the patient's care should be improved (39%). The questions most relevant to patients were: 'Am I getting the right therapy?' (89%); 'How many patients with my condition does my doctor treat?' (46%) and 'Can I be enrolled into a trial?' (46%). An independent second opinion centre was desired by 94% of the respondents but only 20% knew of any such resource.


CONCLUSIONS
This study underlines the need to give patients with breast cancer the full details on treatment options and cancer management. The results provide a suitable basis for a broader interdisciplinary discussion of the patient-physician relationship and should be useful in generating hypotheses for subsequent prospective studies.
Oskay-Ozcelik
G
G
Charité Medical University, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany.
Lehmacher
W
W
Könsgen
D
D
Christ
H
H
Kaufmann
M
M
Lichtenegger
W
W
Bamberg
M
M
Wallwiener
D
D
Overkamp
F
F
Diedrich
K
K
von Minckwitz
G
G
Höffken
K
K
Seeber
S
S
Mirz
R
R
Sehouli
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires