N M Medendorp1, L N C Visser2, M A Hillen1, J C J M de Haes1, E M A Smets1. 1. Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2. Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center/University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: n.c.visser@amc.uva.nl.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:Cancer patients need information provision to cope with their disease. However, only 20-60% of information provided during consultations is remembered. This study aimed to investigate whether oncologists' use of trust-conveying communication, characterized by communicating competence, honesty and caring, enhances patients' memory. Moreover, we aimed to investigate if this hypothetical relationship is mediated by a reduction in psychophysiological arousal during the consultation. METHODS: An experimental design was used, allowing for conclusion about causality. Two versions of a scripted video-taped consultation were used in which the oncologist adopted either a standard or a trust-conveying communication style. 97 cancer-naive individuals acted as analogue patients and were randomly assigned to watch one of the consultations. RESULTS: Free recall, assessed 24-28h after viewing, was higher (p=0.039) in the trust-conveying condition (65.3% versus 59.5%). Recognition did not differ (p=0.502). Psychophysiological assessment during watching showed a smaller heart rate response in the trust-conveying condition (p=0.037). No mediation effect nor an effect on electrodermal activity was found. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that oncologists' use of trust-conveying communication could increase patients' free recall of information and diminish their cardiovascular response. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The underlying mechanisms by which oncologists' communication influences information recall warrants further investigation.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE:Cancerpatients need information provision to cope with their disease. However, only 20-60% of information provided during consultations is remembered. This study aimed to investigate whether oncologists' use of trust-conveying communication, characterized by communicating competence, honesty and caring, enhances patients' memory. Moreover, we aimed to investigate if this hypothetical relationship is mediated by a reduction in psychophysiological arousal during the consultation. METHODS: An experimental design was used, allowing for conclusion about causality. Two versions of a scripted video-taped consultation were used in which the oncologist adopted either a standard or a trust-conveying communication style. 97 cancer-naive individuals acted as analogue patients and were randomly assigned to watch one of the consultations. RESULTS: Free recall, assessed 24-28h after viewing, was higher (p=0.039) in the trust-conveying condition (65.3% versus 59.5%). Recognition did not differ (p=0.502). Psychophysiological assessment during watching showed a smaller heart rate response in the trust-conveying condition (p=0.037). No mediation effect nor an effect on electrodermal activity was found. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that oncologists' use of trust-conveying communication could increase patients' free recall of information and diminish their cardiovascular response. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The underlying mechanisms by which oncologists' communication influences information recall warrants further investigation.
Authors: Leonie N C Visser; Nadine Bol; Marij A Hillen; Mathilde G E Verdam; Hanneke C J M de Haes; Julia C M van Weert; Ellen M A Smets Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Date: 2018-01-19 Impact factor: 4.615
Authors: Franziska Kühne; Henriette Fauth; Destina S Ay-Bryson; Leonie N C Visser; Florian Weck Journal: Cancer Med Date: 2021-11-08 Impact factor: 4.452
Authors: Arwen H Pieterse; Kim Brandes; Jessica de Graaf; Joyce E de Boer; Nanon H M Labrie; Anouk Knops; Cornelia F Allaart; Johanna E A Portielje; Willem Jan W Bos; Anne M Stiggelbout Journal: Med Decis Making Date: 2021-11-02 Impact factor: 2.583