Patient-centered Communication Among People With Urologic Cancers

Introduction

Healthcare providers’ ability to successfully engage in patient-centered communication (PCC) and shared decision-making (SDM) is critical for prioritizing patient values and needs given the diversity of cancer treatment options available. This study aims to examine the impact of PCC and SDM on urologic cancer patients’ perceived knowledge and preparedness in treatment decision-making.

Authors

Erica E. Fortune, PhD, Abigail Newell, PhD

Methods 

We analyzed responses from 254 adults with urologic cancers who participated in the Cancer Experience Registry. Participants reported their demographic and clinical information, decision-making style (provider-led, patient-led, or shared), knowledge about treatment options and financial impact, and their preparedness to make treatment decisions.

Results

Over half of the participants felt knowledgeable about treatment options (54%) and prepared to make decisions (56%), but only a third felt well-informed about financial impacts. Strong PCC was linked to higher knowledge of treatment options and finances, and greater preparedness. Patients who participated in shared or patient-led decision-making felt more prepared than those in provider-led decisions.

Conclusions

Patients who led or shared in decisions were over 5 times more likely to feel prepared to make treatment decisions. Those with patient-centric communication were nearly 3 times more likely to feel prepared, and about 2 times more likely to understand their treatment options and financial impact. Findings suggest that PCC and SDM play a critical role in patient experiences. Strengthening these approaches in clinical settings may help ensure that care is more aligned with patients’ values, preferences, and needs.

Keywords

Cancer Experience Registry Cancer patients Patient centered care Symptoms and side effects Quality of Care Treatment decision making/adherence