Fertility preservation and adolescent/young adult cancer patients: physician communication challenges.
OBJECTIVE
The doctor-parent-adolescent triad is a unique communication challenge, particularly in the area of fertility preservation for adolescents with cancer. This paper provides a preliminary exploration into the barriers experienced by physicians in discussing cancer related fertility issues with patients aged 12-18.


METHODS
This study used a subset of the data from qualitative interviews with pediatric oncologists.


RESULTS
The majority of physicians agreed that fertility preservation conversations were awkward because of limited options and resources for the technology as well as the existence of a fine line between establishing a sense of trust between doctor and patient, while not excluding parents.


CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare providers need training on how and when to broach fertility issues with patients, emphasizing open communication and early disclosure.
Quinn
Gwendolyn P
GP
University of South Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Oncologic Sciences, Tampa, Florida 33647, USA. gwen.quinn@moffitt.org
Vadaparampil
Susan T
ST
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010372:Pediatrics; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011368:Professional-Family Relations