title: Patients' needs and experiences at breast cancer diagnosis: how perceived threat influences the physician-patient interaction.
abstract: Physician-patient interaction at breast cancer diagnosis can only succeed if physicians know what patients want. To investigate patients' needs and experiences we conducted semistructured interviews with eight patients. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed according to grounded theory and a typological approach. Patients' needs and experiences concurred with a patient-centered approach in many aspects. The threat perceived by patients following diagnosis strongly influenced their needs and experiences. Three different types of patients were identified: emotionally needy, active, and trustful, adaptive. The typology identified in this study may help physicians to adequately adapt their behavior.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rottmann
authors.forename: Almut W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Helmes
authors.forename: Barbara A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Vogel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research