title: Are radiation oncologists aware of health literacy among people with cancer treated with radiotherapy?
abstract: Health literacy skills are important for people affected by cancer as they are exposed to complex treatment and follow-up care information. This study aimed to (1) explore radiation oncologists' understandings and awareness of health literacy among patients with a reasonable command of English; (2) gain insight into oncologists' views regarding health literacy; and (3) identify techniques oncologists employ to communicate to different literacy populations. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 26 radiation oncologists. Four key themes were identified: (1) identifying a patient's literacy level; (2) perceived impact of literacy; (3) challenges and strategies to communicating concepts and supporting decision-making; and (4) suggested improvements to the health system. Participants described subjectively assessing a person's literacy level by monitoring the types of questions asked; analysing the language used; examining non-verbal behaviour, and considering a person's socio-economic situation. Participants reported the challenges of discussing the subtleties of cancer treatments with lower literacy groups such as the benefits and risks of treatment options and clinical trials, and tended to provide the basic facts to facilitate understanding. Radiation oncologists acknowledged the importance of health literacy in oncology, and employed a number of techniques to tailor their communication to different literacy populations. Further research is needed to address the challenges faced by oncologists when interacting with different literacy groups.
authors: Psychosocial Research Group, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW.
authors: S K
authors: SK
authors: Smith
authors: L-M
authors: LM
authors: Petrak
authors: H M
authors: HM
authors: Dhillon
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Taylor
authors: C G
authors: CG
authors: Milross
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009517:New South Wales; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018787:Radiation Oncology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: doctor-patient relations; health literacy; patient comprehension; qualitative research; radiation oncology; radiotherapy