Patient-Centered Communication and Cancer Patients' Health: Roles of Perceived Support and Perceived Burden

In China, the traditional hierarchical doctor-patient relationship can hinder effective communication, especially in emotionally sensitive settings like cancer care. This study examined how patient-centered communication influences the health status of Chinese cancer patients and whether perceived burden and perceived support mediate this relationship. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 271 cancer patients, yielding 217 valid responses. The findings show that patient-centered communication improves patients' health by alleviating their perceived burden and enhancing their perceived support. Given that many patients fear their illness and worry about burdening their families, these results highlight the importance of fostering more active communication and providing both informational and emotional support in clinical practice.