Paper

Do healthcare professionals discuss the emotional impact of cancer with patients?

  1. Allison Bonito1,
  2. Nina Horowitz1,
  3. Ruth McCorkle2 and
  4. Anees B. Chagpar1,*

Article first published online: 6 MAR 2013

DOI: 10.1002/pon.3258

Issue

Psycho‐Oncology

Psycho-Oncology

Volume 22, Issue 9, pages 2046–2050, September 2013


Additional Information

How to Cite

Bonito, A., Horowitz, N., McCorkle, R. and Chagpar, A. B. (2013), Do healthcare professionals discuss the emotional impact of cancer with patients?. Psycho-Oncology, 22: 2046–2050. doi: 10.1002/pon.3258

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

  2. 2

    Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, CT, USA

*Correspondence to: Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, 20 York Street, Breast Center, 1st floor Suite A, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. E-mail: anees.chagpar@yale.edu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 24 AUG 2013
  2. Article first published online: 6 MAR 2013
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 14 JAN 2013
  4. Manuscript Revised: 3 JAN 2013
  5. Manuscript Received: 14 SEP 2012

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Keywords:

  • cancer;
  • oncology;
  • emotional impact;
  • social impact;
  • healthcare professionals;
  • communication

Abstract

Background

It is known that cancer may affect patients' emotions and their relationships with other people and that those with strong emotional support may enjoy improved outcomes. We sought to determine the frequency with which healthcare professionals discuss the impact of cancer on patients' emotions and relationships with others.

Methods

Data regarding healthcare professionals' discussions of the emotional impact of cancer and relevant covariates were obtained from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey. Statistical analyses were performed using sudaan software (Research Triangle Institute, Raleigh, NC, USA).

Results

Of the 2074 people with a prior diagnosis of cancer surveyed, 701 (33.8%) claimed that a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional had discussed with them ‘how cancer could affect their emotions or relationships with others’. Of these, 586 (84.5%) reported that they were ‘very satisfied’ with how well their emotional and social needs were met; 73.4% of those who had not had this discussion reported being very satisfied. Patients with leukemia/lymphoma, younger patients, African Americans, and those with a lower degree of education were most likely to report having discussions about emotional issues. Gender was not correlated with these discussions (30.6% in men vs. 33.3% in women). On multivariate analysis, age, race, and cancer type remained independent significant predictors of having a discussion regarding the emotional impact of cancer.

Conclusion

Only a third of cancer patients discussed the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis with their healthcare professional. Age, race, and type of malignancy affect the likelihood of having these discussions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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