Jenny J Lin1, Jessica Lake, Melanie M Wall, Andrew R Berman, John Salazar-Schicchi, Charles Powell, Steven M Keller, Ethan A Halm, Howard Leventhal, Juan P Wisnivesky. 1. *Division of General Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY; †Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, NY; ‡Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Rutgers University, NJ; §Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Columbia University, NY; ‖Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NY; ¶Department of Thoracic Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, NY; #Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Sciences, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, TX; **Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, NJ; and ††Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, NJ.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patient-physician communication is critical for helping patients understand and complete the complex steps needed to diagnose stage and treat lung cancer. We assessed which domains of patient-physician communication about lung cancer and its treatment are associated with receipt of disease-directed, stage-appropriate treatment. METHODS: Patients with recently diagnosed lung cancer were recruited from four medical centers in New York City from 2008 to 2011. Participants were surveyed about discussions with physicians regarding treatment, symptoms, and needs. Multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling were used to assess which communication factors were associated with disease treatment. RESULTS: Of the 352 participants, 191 (54%) received disease-directed, stage-appropriate treatment. Unadjusted associations between communication items and treatment found that participants who felt that their physicians explained the risks and disadvantages of lung cancer treatment (p < 0.01), discussed their chances of cure (p = 0.02), discussed goals of treatment (p < 0.01), or who were warm and friendly (p = 0.04) were more likely to undergo treatment. Three communication domains were identified: treatment information, physician support, and patient symptoms/needs. After adjusting for known determinants of lung cancer treatment, increased treatment information was associated with higher probability of cancer-directed treatment (p = 0.003). Other communication domains (physician support or patient symptoms/needs) were not independent predictors of treatment (p > 0.05 for both comparisons). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that treatment information is particularly important for increasing the probability of cancer-directed therapy among lung cancer patients. Clinicians should ensure that they clearly discuss treatment goals and options with patients while maintaining empathy, supporting patient needs, and addressing symptoms.
BACKGROUND:Patient-physician communication is critical for helping patients understand and complete the complex steps needed to diagnose stage and treat lung cancer. We assessed which domains of patient-physician communication about lung cancer and its treatment are associated with receipt of disease-directed, stage-appropriate treatment. METHODS:Patients with recently diagnosed lung cancer were recruited from four medical centers in New York City from 2008 to 2011. Participants were surveyed about discussions with physicians regarding treatment, symptoms, and needs. Multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling were used to assess which communication factors were associated with disease treatment. RESULTS: Of the 352 participants, 191 (54%) received disease-directed, stage-appropriate treatment. Unadjusted associations between communication items and treatment found that participants who felt that their physicians explained the risks and disadvantages of lung cancer treatment (p < 0.01), discussed their chances of cure (p = 0.02), discussed goals of treatment (p < 0.01), or who were warm and friendly (p = 0.04) were more likely to undergo treatment. Three communication domains were identified: treatment information, physician support, and patient symptoms/needs. After adjusting for known determinants of lung cancer treatment, increased treatment information was associated with higher probability of cancer-directed treatment (p = 0.003). Other communication domains (physician support or patient symptoms/needs) were not independent predictors of treatment (p > 0.05 for both comparisons). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that treatment information is particularly important for increasing the probability of cancer-directed therapy among lung cancerpatients. Clinicians should ensure that they clearly discuss treatment goals and options with patients while maintaining empathy, supporting patient needs, and addressing symptoms.
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