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Improving communication between doctors and breast cancer patients
Moira Stewart1, Judith Belle Brown, Joanne Hammerton
1Centre for Studies in Family Medicine, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. moira@uwo.ca
Annals of Family Medicine
|September 26, 2007
Summary
Intensive physician education improved communication skills for family physicians and enhanced patient satisfaction and well-being for surgical and oncology patients compared to traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Oncology
- Patient Communication
Background:
- Effective communication is crucial in breast cancer care.
- Traditional continuing medical education may not fully optimize physician-patient interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of intensive physician education versus traditional methods for communicating with breast cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involved 51 physicians (family, surgeons, oncologists) and 102 patients.
- Intervention group received 6-hour intensive education; control group received 2-hour traditional education.
- Physician communication and patient outcomes (satisfaction, distress, feeling better) were measured.
Main Results:
- No overall significant difference in physician communication scores between groups.
- Intervention family physicians showed significantly higher communication subscores.
- Patients of intervention surgeons/oncologists reported higher satisfaction and felt better.
Conclusions:
- Intensive continuing medical education demonstrated effectiveness for specific physician and patient outcomes in breast cancer care.
- The intervention showed benefits for family physician communication and patient-centered outcomes in surgical/oncology settings.
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