Tools for Communication: Novel infrastructure to address patient-perceived gaps in oncology care .
BACKGROUND
Healthcare providers (HCPs) and patient communication are integral to high-quality oncology care. The patient and HCP perspectives are needed to identify gaps in care and develop communication tools. .


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to understand patient- and HCP-perceived elements of and gaps in high-quality care to develop novel communication tools to improve care.  .


METHODS
Qualitative interviews were conducted among 16 patients with cancer and 10 HCPs in the United States. Trained interviewers elicited patients' and HCPs' concerns, views, and perceived needs for communication tools. A thematic analysis was used to identify four quality of care domains, depicted in a conceptual model, and two draft communication tools were developed to address identified gaps. .


RESULTS
No patients reported previously using a communication tool, and gaps in communication regarding treatment aims and education were evident. Two tools were developed to assess patients' life and treatment goals and the importance of ongoing education.
ICON.
Suzanne
S
McMullen
ICON.
Shelagh
S
Szabo
Cedars-Sinai Health System.
Ronald J
RJ
Halbert
Genentech.
Catherine
C
Lai
Genentech.
Aparna
A
Parikh
Genentech.
Mikele
M
Bunce
Genentech.
Raya
R
Khoury
Genentech.
Art
A
Small
Genentech.
Anthony
A
Masaquel
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
Patient education; communication; education; oncology; quality ; tool