Csaba L Dégi1. 1. Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary. deglasz@net.sote.hu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: In recent psycho-oncological literature, few studies are concerned with the consequences of cancer diagnosis non-disclosure. The aims of this study were to analyze factors that may explain the non-disclosure of cancer diagnosis to patients by physicians and to compare personal characteristics of cancer patients, on the basis of cancer diagnosis disclosure versus non-disclosure. METHODS: A total of 420 hospitalized cancer patients were included in our study; 342 with malignant and 78 with benign tumors. Two hundred thirty-eight women and 185 men completed a self-report questionnaire that included standardized measures of depressive symptoms (BDI), hopelessness, ways of coping, negative life events and anomie. Data were controlled for demographic, medical, and psychosocial factors. RESULTS: Malignant cancer (OR:11.88), severe and moderate depression (OR:10.57 and OR:4.81), lack of chemotherapy (OR:4.20) and low anomie (OR:2.77) after overall adjustment predicted cancer diagnosis non-disclosure to patients. CONCLUSION: Our results underline the persistent need for delivering patient-focused health services in oncological care based on respect for the patients' right to autonomy.
OBJECTIVES: In recent psycho-oncological literature, few studies are concerned with the consequences of cancer diagnosis non-disclosure. The aims of this study were to analyze factors that may explain the non-disclosure of cancer diagnosis to patients by physicians and to compare personal characteristics of cancerpatients, on the basis of cancer diagnosis disclosure versus non-disclosure. METHODS: A total of 420 hospitalized cancerpatients were included in our study; 342 with malignant and 78 with benign tumors. Two hundred thirty-eight women and 185 men completed a self-report questionnaire that included standardized measures of depressive symptoms (BDI), hopelessness, ways of coping, negative life events and anomie. Data were controlled for demographic, medical, and psychosocial factors. RESULTS:Malignant cancer (OR:11.88), severe and moderate depression (OR:10.57 and OR:4.81), lack of chemotherapy (OR:4.20) and low anomie (OR:2.77) after overall adjustment predicted cancer diagnosis non-disclosure to patients. CONCLUSION: Our results underline the persistent need for delivering patient-focused health services in oncological care based on respect for the patients' right to autonomy.
Authors: K M Graner; G S Rolim; A B A Moraes; C R Padovani; M A Lopes; A R Santos-Silva; A T A Ramos-Cerqueira Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2015-11-27 Impact factor: 3.359