Examining Physician-Centered Communication During Cancer Diagnosis

The purpose of this study is to ask patients about the information they received during their initial diagnosis consultation of cancer, to understand what aspects of communication patients want in orders to feel satisfied with their physician. Based on the research found in relation to the topic of this study, the three aspects that patients want from their physician are; empathy, patient-centered communication, and a basic understanding of patient's health literacy, which helped to create an understanding for the research that was conducted as part of this study. In-depth interviews with a convenience sample of 12-18 patients examined the patient's experience as they remember, the way their experience could have been improved and how the researcher was able to identify areas where the physician's communication could have been improved to increase satisfaction in patients. Therefore, a better understanding of the patient's perspective was used to know how a physician could better articulate the diagnosis in a way that leaves the patient feeling satisfied.