Mollie Rose Canzona1, David Garcia2, Carla L Fisher3, Meghan Raleigh4, Virginia Kalish4, Christy J W Ledford5. 1. Department of Communication, Department of Social Sciences & Health Policy, Wake Forest University/Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7347, Winston-Salem NC 27109, (336) 414-8989, United States. Electronic address: canzonmr@wfu.edu. 2. Edwards Family Health Clinic, 30 Nightingale Rd., Edwards AFB, CA 93524, United States. 3. University of Florida Health Cancer Center, UF STEM Translational Communication Center, 2086 Weimer Hall, 1885 Stadium Road, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States. 4. Department of Family Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814, United States. 5. Department of Family Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814, Department of Family Medicine, National Capital Consortium Family Medicine Residency, 9300 DeWitt Loop, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer survivors experience a range of sexual health (SH) issues. Communication problems between patient and provider can prevent survivors from pursuing SH goals and can negatively influence biopsychosocial outcomes. The primary aims of this study were to identify provider communication behaviors that facilitate or impede clinical interactions regarding SH (according to survivors and providers) and to highlight discrepancies that affect care. METHODS: Forty breast cancer survivors and forty health care providers from a variety of specialties participated in semi-structured interviews informed by the Critical Incident Technique. Transcripts were thematically analyzed using the constant comparative method. RESULTS: Survivors and providers discussed the importance of honoring individual patient needs and conveying compassionate messages. However, accounts varied significantly regarding the appropriate timing and method of initiating SH discussions and the helpfulness of certain support behaviors and linguistic devices. CONCLUSION: Provider and survivor accounts of what constitutes helpful and unhelpful provider communication behaviors when discussing SH concerns are misaligned in nuanced and meaningful ways. These discrepancies reveal potential areas for educational intervention. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: SH discussions require providers to examine assumptions about patients' communication preferences and information needs. Patients may benefit from frank yet sensitive discussions earlier in the cancer continuum.
OBJECTIVE:Breast cancer survivors experience a range of sexual health (SH) issues. Communication problems between patient and provider can prevent survivors from pursuing SH goals and can negatively influence biopsychosocial outcomes. The primary aims of this study were to identify provider communication behaviors that facilitate or impede clinical interactions regarding SH (according to survivors and providers) and to highlight discrepancies that affect care. METHODS: Forty breast cancer survivors and forty health care providers from a variety of specialties participated in semi-structured interviews informed by the Critical Incident Technique. Transcripts were thematically analyzed using the constant comparative method. RESULTS: Survivors and providers discussed the importance of honoring individual patient needs and conveying compassionate messages. However, accounts varied significantly regarding the appropriate timing and method of initiating SH discussions and the helpfulness of certain support behaviors and linguistic devices. CONCLUSION: Provider and survivor accounts of what constitutes helpful and unhelpful provider communication behaviors when discussing SH concerns are misaligned in nuanced and meaningful ways. These discrepancies reveal potential areas for educational intervention. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: SH discussions require providers to examine assumptions about patients' communication preferences and information needs. Patients may benefit from frank yet sensitive discussions earlier in the cancer continuum.
Authors: Jennifer Barsky Reese; Kristen A Sorice; Lauren A Zimmaro; Stephen J Lepore; Mary Catherine Beach Journal: Patient Educ Couns Date: 2020-04-04
Authors: Jennifer Barsky Reese; Kristen Sorice; Stephen J Lepore; Mary B Daly; James A Tulsky; Mary Catherine Beach Journal: Patient Educ Couns Date: 2018-10-04
Authors: Greenberry Taylor; Carma L Bylund; Amanda Kastrinos; Jordan M Alpert; Ana Puig; Joanna M T Krajewski; Bhakti Sharma; Carla L Fisher Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-24 Impact factor: 3.390