Olivia Purnima Danzi1, Cinzia Perlini1, Federico Tedeschi1, Mimma Nardelli2, Alberto Greco2, Enzo Pasquale Scilingo2, Gaetano Valenza2, Lidia Del Piccolo3. 1. Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy. 2. Department of Information Engineering, and Bioengineering and Robotics Research Centre "E. Piaggio", School of Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy. 3. Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Italy. Electronic address: lidia.delpiccolo@univr.it.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of physicians' supportive communication on analogue patients' (APs) heart rate variability (HRV) and recall, while watching a video of palliative treatment being explained to a female patient. METHODS:Sixty healthy women, acting as APs, were randomly assigned to watch one of two versions (standard vs. affective) of a scripted video-vignette of a bad news consultation to a female patient. The physician's communication differed only in the delivery of four supportive comments. Empathy, support and engagement perception were assessed by three questions. APs' HR was recorded during video-observation and recall was assessed immediately after. HRV was determined through measures defined in time and frequency domains. RESULTS:Data of 54 APs (27 + 27) were included. The group with supportive communication perceived the physician as more empathic and supportive. Intra- and Inter-group comparisons suggested a greater sense of stress in the standard communication group. Recall did not differ in the two groups. CONCLUSION AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Findings show that the use of supportive expressions contribute to the perception of the physician as more empathic, potentially buffer patients' arousal after a bad news announcement, but does not confirm a positive impact on general recall.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of physicians' supportive communication on analogue patients' (APs) heart rate variability (HRV) and recall, while watching a video of palliative treatment being explained to a female patient. METHODS: Sixty healthy women, acting as APs, were randomly assigned to watch one of two versions (standard vs. affective) of a scripted video-vignette of a bad news consultation to a female patient. The physician's communication differed only in the delivery of four supportive comments. Empathy, support and engagement perception were assessed by three questions. APs' HR was recorded during video-observation and recall was assessed immediately after. HRV was determined through measures defined in time and frequency domains. RESULTS: Data of 54 APs (27 + 27) were included. The group with supportive communication perceived the physician as more empathic and supportive. Intra- and Inter-group comparisons suggested a greater sense of stress in the standard communication group. Recall did not differ in the two groups. CONCLUSION AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Findings show that the use of supportive expressions contribute to the perception of the physician as more empathic, potentially buffer patients' arousal after a bad news announcement, but does not confirm a positive impact on general recall.
Authors: Naomi C A van der Velden; Maartje C Meijers; Paul K J Han; Hanneke W M van Laarhoven; Ellen M A Smets; Inge Henselmans Journal: Curr Treat Options Oncol Date: 2020-04-23
Authors: Hanne C Lie; Lene K Juvet; Richard L Street; Pål Gulbrandsen; Anneli V Mellblom; Espen Andreas Brembo; Hilde Eide; Lena Heyn; Kristina H Saltveit; Hilde Strømme; Vibeke Sundling; Eva Turk; Julia Menichetti Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2021-08-05 Impact factor: 5.128