title: Advanced cancer patients' and caregivers' use of a Question Prompt List.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to provide insight into how advanced cancer patients and their caregivers use a Question Prompt List (QPL) during a consultation and for preparation for future consultations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Audiotaped consultations and follow-up phone calls of 28 advanced cancer patients were coded and content analyzed. Questions asked and concerns expressed in consultations were coded for initiator, content, inclusion in the QPL and exact wording. Patients' reported and future use of the QPL were coded from the phone calls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of patients reported that they used the QPL. Questions asked by patients and caregivers predominately coincided with questions from the prognosis section of the QPL. Questions were rarely asked literally from the QPL, instead questions were tailored to patients' own circumstances.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  QPLs are useful to stimulate discussion on prognosis among advanced cancer patients and caregivers. Patients tailored questions from the QPL to their own circumstances which may suggest high involvement and engagement. The development of more specific tailored communication interventions for advanced cancer patients is warranted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of QPLs in the advanced cancer setting may be beneficial for patients, caregivers and healthcare providers to facilitate discussion of topics such as prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: k.brandes@uva.nl.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brandes
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Phyllis N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Butow
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Martin H N
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Tattersall
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Hammond Care Palliative and Supportive Care Service, Greenwich Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Josephine M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular and Chronic Care Centre, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Centre, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.affiliation: Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Walczak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D032722:Advance Care Planning; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D017010:Reminder Systems / Q000295:instrumentation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013637:Tape Recording
keywords: Advanced cancer patients; Caregivers; Healthcare provider–patient communication; Patient participation; Question Prompt List; Tailored communication