[Communication preferences of patients with prostate cancer : Preferences regarding the communication of bad news of patients with prostate cancer in Germany-results of an anonymous patient survey].
BACKGROUND
The communication of bad medical news represents a burdening situation for both patients and physicians which may lead to hurdles in their communication. The questionnaire Measure of Patients' Preferences (MPP-D, validated German translation) was developed to investigate patients' preferences regarding the communication of bad news.


OBJECTIVE
The preferences regarding the communication of bad news among patients with prostate cancer was assessed.


METHODS
Anonymous survey, where approximately 70 office-based urologists were asked to distribute the MPP-D questionnaire to about 20 of their patients with prostate cancer. In addition, information on social demographics was retrieved in order to investigate the influence on communication preferences.


RESULTS
In total, 709 questionnaires were evaluated (>50 % return). The majority of patients had clear preferences concerning privacy of the setting, completeness, and unambiguity of information provided and assessment of their subjective information needs. Larger individual differences were observed regarding preferences for emotional support offered by the physician and involvement of family which was also influenced by age and education of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first large, multicenter survey of prostate cancer patients in Germany regarding their preferences for communication of bad news. The results confirm previous reports on the importance of cultural affiliation, age, and education as influencing factors.
Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Campus Lübeck, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland. axel.merseburger@uksh.de.
A S
AS
Merseburger
Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Campus Lübeck, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538, Lübeck, Deutschland.
M W
MW
Kramer
GKM Gesellschaft für Therapieforschung mbH, München, Deutschland.
K
K
Scheithe
Ipsen Pharma GmbH, Ettlingen, Deutschland.
C
C
Colling
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D035041:Anonymous Testing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003142:Communication; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000523:psychology; D030881:Disclosure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*
Patient preference; Patient survey; Physician-patient communication; Quality of life; Questionnaire