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Physician communication styles in initial consultations for hematological cancer
Karan R Chhabra1, Kathryn I Pollak, Stephanie J Lee
1Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, USA.
Patient Education and Counseling
|September 17, 2013
Summary
Subspecialist physicians often broadcast complex medical information, hindering shared decision-making. Employing active listening and patient-centered communication techniques can improve patient involvement in treatment choices.
Area of Science:
- Medical communication
- Shared decision-making
- Subspecialty consultations
Background:
- Effective communication is crucial in subspecialist consultations, particularly for second opinions.
- Physician communication styles can significantly impact patient understanding and involvement in decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze communication practices of subspecialist physicians during second-opinion consultations.
- To evaluate the influence of these communication styles on shared decision-making.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative approach using theme-oriented discourse analysis.
- Analysis of 20 recorded second-opinion consultations with subspecialist hematologist-oncologists.
Main Results:
- Physicians frequently used "broadcasting"—long, uninterrupted monologues delivering information.
- Communication styles either presented options without recommendations or recommended treatments without considering patient values.
- Some physicians utilized techniques to foster patient engagement.
Conclusions:
- "Broadcasting" information may be ineffective for shared decision-making in complex cases.
- Interventions focusing on patient-centered communication can enhance shared decision-making.
- Techniques like open-ended questions and active listening can improve patient participation.
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