Internalizing Patient-Centered Communication: Pathways to Telehealth Efficacy in Cancer Care.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Communication
• Digital Health

Background:

• Telehealth is crucial in cancer care, but patients often lack confidence in digital communication.
• Self-determination theory provides a framework to understand patient engagement in digital health contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how patient-centered communication (PCC) influences patient activation and subsequent telehealth efficacy among Chinese cancer patients.
• To examine the mediating role of patient activation stages in the relationship between PCC and telehealth efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Path analysis was used with a sample of 495 Chinese cancer patients with telehealth experience.
• The study assessed six functions of PCC, four stages of patient activation, and telehealth efficacy.

Main Results:

• PCC functions, including shared decision-making and support for self-management, positively predicted patient activation.
• Patient activation stages, particularly role importance and action, were significantly associated with higher telehealth efficacy.
• Patient activation fully mediated the effect of PCC on telehealth efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Patient-centered communication enhances telehealth efficacy by fostering patient activation, promoting autonomy and competence.
• Healthcare providers should adopt communication strategies that empower patients to confidently navigate telehealth platforms, especially those with low digital confidence.