An evidence base for patient-centered cancer care: a meta-analysis of studies of observed communication between cancer specialists and their patients.
OBJECTIVE
In the context of patients visiting cancer specialists, the objective is to test the association between both patient-centered communication (including Affective Behavior and Participation Behavior) and Instrumental Behavior and patients' post-visit satisfaction with a variety of visit phenomena.


METHODS
Meta-analysis of 25 articles representing 10 distinct data sets.


RESULTS
Both patient-centered- and instrumental behavior are significantly, positively associated with satisfaction, with patient-centered communication having a relatively stronger association.


CONCLUSIONS
There is an evidence base for the efficacy of patient-centered care.


CONCLUSIONS
Cancer specialists need to train to improve their patient-centered communication.
Venetis
Maria K
MK
Department of Communication, Rutgers University, 4 Huntington Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. Mkoskan@scils.rutgers.edu
Robinson
Jeffrey D
JD
Turkiewicz
Katie Laplant
KL
Allen
Mike
M
D003142:Communication; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009369:Neoplasms; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations