Patient participation in discussing palliative radiotherapy

• Published in: Patient education and counseling Vol. 57; no. 1; pp. 53 - 61
• Main Authors: Timmermans, Liesbeth M., van der Maazen, Richard W.M., Verhaak, Christianne M., van Roosmalen, Mariëlle S., van Daal, Willem A.J., Kraaimaat, Floris W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.04.2005
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Communication; Decision Making; Doctor–patient communication; Emotions; Female; Humans; Informed Consent - psychology; Male; Medical Futility; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Nursing; Palliative Care - methods; Palliative Care - psychology; Palliative radiotherapy; Patient Education as Topic; Patient participation; Patient Participation - methods; Patient Participation - psychology; Physician-Patient Relations; Pilot Projects; Prognosis; Radiation Oncology; Radiotherapy - psychology; RIAS; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tape Recording; Truth Disclosure; Netherlands; Doctor–patient communication; Palliative radiotherapy; Patient participation; RIAS
• ISSN: 0738-3991; 1873-5134
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2004.03.016

Cancer patients’ participation in doctor–patient interactions has been shown to be an important factor in the emotional processing of their condition, particularly when only palliative treatments can be offered. In this study, we assessed incurable cancer patients’ participation in initial consultations with their radiation oncologists (ROs). RO stimulation of patient participation and discussions about treatment decisions were also measured. The entire consultation was videotaped and analyzed using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). Patients’ participation proved to be low on medical information, but high on discussing their experiences and life circumstances. The ROs stimulated patient participation mainly by providing medical information and giving patients opportunities to tell their stories. Decisions about radiation treatment had previously taken place and were rarely discussed in the consultations studied. The results suggest that patient participation in palliative treatment consultations might be improved for facilitating patients’ emotional processing of the incurable nature of their cancer.