Interacting with cancer patients: the significance of physicians' communication behavior
Abstract
A diagnosis of cancer typically results in patients experiencing uncertainty about and loss of control over their situation, which in turn has a negative influence on their health outcomes. Cancer treatment further disrupts patients' quality of life. Throughout their cancer journey patients often rely on their physicians to provide them with social/interpersonal, informational, and decisional support. A growing body of research shows that physicians' communication behavior does indeed have a positive impact on patient health outcomes. Thus, the patient-physician interaction assumes great significance in the cancer care delivery process. It is encouraging to note that research in this area, largely dominated by studies conducted in primary care, is attracting the attention of cancer researchers. In an attempt to encourage and aid future research on patient-physician communication in cancer care, this paper presents a critical evaluation of existing literature on key elements of physicians' communication behavior (i.e., interpersonal communication, information exchange, and facilitation of patient involvement in decision-making). Different approaches to assessing physician behavior are discussed followed by a review of key findings linking physician behavior with cancer patient health outcomes. Finally, potential limitations of existing research are highlighted and areas for future research are identified.
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Patient participation is linked to positive patient outcomes such as improved quality of life, reduced anxiety and depression, greater satisfaction, better sharing of information, and better treatment adherence.
“Research suggests that patient participation is linked to positive patient outcomes such as improved quality of life, reduced anxiety and depression, greater satisfaction, better sharing of information, and better treatment adherence (6)(7)(8)(9).”
From High levels of socioeconomic deprivation do not inhibit patients’ communication of concerns in head and neck cancer review clinics (2018) · cites this paper as [7]
Building rapport is an important aspect of clinical communication with a number of benefits for patients.
“Nonetheless, building rapport is an important aspect of clinical communication with a number of benefits for patients (5,(7)(8)(9), and low SES patients may be placed at a disadvantage if less time is spent building rapport.”
From High levels of socioeconomic deprivation do not inhibit patients’ communication of concerns in head and neck cancer review clinics (2018) · cites this paper as [7]
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BackgroundResultWhen the treatment goal is not cure: are cancer patients equipped to make informed decisions?
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- Authors
- Arora, N. K.
- Affiliations
- National Institutes of Health (US)
- Corresponding author
- Arora, Neeraj K
- ORCID
- Arora, Neeraj K
- Venue
- Social Science & Medicine
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2003-09
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 791-806
- ISSN
- 0277-9536 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2032816933
- Cited by
- 661
- References
- 5
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 37 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 40 · 2017: 49 · 2016: 47 · 2015: 37 · 2014: 35 · 2013: 43 · 2012: 38
- FWCI
- 28.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Social Science & Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Empathy and Medical Education
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
- Keywords
- physician-patient communication, cancer patients, patient-physician interaction, interpersonal communication, information sharing, shared decision-making, patient involvement in treatment decisions, patient outcomes, cancer care delivery
- MeSH terms
- Communication, Decision Making, Humans, Neoplasms, Patient Participation, Physician-Patient Relations, Quality of Life, Uncertainty
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