Skye Dong1, Phyllis N Butow2, Daniel S J Costa2, Haryana M Dhillon3, Cleveland G Shields4. 1. Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: skye.dong@sydney.edu.au. 2. Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. 3. Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. 4. Purdue University Center for Cancer Research & Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering, Purdue University, College of Health of Human Sciences, West Lafayette, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To adapt an observational tool for assessing patient-centeredness of radiotherapy consultations and to assess whether scores for this tool and an existing tool assessing patient-perceived patient-centeredness predict patient outcomes. METHODS: The Measure of Patient-Centered Communication (MPCC), an observational coding system that assesses depth of discussion during a consultation, was adapted to the radiotherapy context. Fifty-six radiotherapy patients (from 10 radiation therapists) had their psycho-education sessions recorded and coded using the MPCC. Patients also completed instruments assessing their perception of patient-centeredness, trust in the radiation therapist, satisfaction with the consultation, authentic self-representation (ASR) and state anxiety. RESULTS: The MPCC correlated weakly with patient-perceived patient-centeredness. The Feelings subcomponent of the MPCC predicted one aspect of ASR and trust, and interacted with level of therapist experience to predict trust. Patient-perceived patient-centeredness, which exhibited a ceiling effect, predicted satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Patient-centered communication is an important predictor of patient outcomes in radiotherapy and obviates some negative aspects of radiation therapists' experience on patient trust. As in other studies, there is a weak association between self-reported and observational coding of PCC. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Radiation therapists have both technical and supportive roles to play in patient care, and may benefit from training in their supportive role.
OBJECTIVE: To adapt an observational tool for assessing patient-centeredness of radiotherapy consultations and to assess whether scores for this tool and an existing tool assessing patient-perceived patient-centeredness predict patient outcomes. METHODS: The Measure of Patient-Centered Communication (MPCC), an observational coding system that assesses depth of discussion during a consultation, was adapted to the radiotherapy context. Fifty-six radiotherapy patients (from 10 radiation therapists) had their psycho-education sessions recorded and coded using the MPCC. Patients also completed instruments assessing their perception of patient-centeredness, trust in the radiation therapist, satisfaction with the consultation, authentic self-representation (ASR) and state anxiety. RESULTS: The MPCC correlated weakly with patient-perceived patient-centeredness. The Feelings subcomponent of the MPCC predicted one aspect of ASR and trust, and interacted with level of therapist experience to predict trust. Patient-perceived patient-centeredness, which exhibited a ceiling effect, predicted satisfaction. CONCLUSION:Patient-centered communication is an important predictor of patient outcomes in radiotherapy and obviates some negative aspects of radiation therapists' experience on patient trust. As in other studies, there is a weak association between self-reported and observational coding of PCC. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Radiation therapists have both technical and supportive roles to play in patient care, and may benefit from training in their supportive role.
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