Satisfaction of early breast cancer patients with discussions during initial oncology consultations with a medical oncologist Journal Article


Authors: Brown, R. F.; Hill, C.; Burant, C. J.; Siminoff, L. A.
Article Title: Satisfaction of early breast cancer patients with discussions during initial oncology consultations with a medical oncologist
Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this report is to extend the current understanding of patient satisfaction by examining expectations of a sample of breast cancer patients and concordance with their medical oncologists about the content of consultations and the importance of consultation items. Methods: Three hundred and ninety-five female early stage breast cancer patients of 56 oncologists participated. Patients and oncologists completed a matched questionnaire measuring (a) met expectations, (b) concordance over content and item importance, and (c) satisfaction. Results: Overall patient satisfaction was extremely high (x = 91/100%) although expectations were not met at the stated level desired. Patients and physicians disagreed over what was conveyed and received. Higher overall satisfaction was predicted by levels of met expectations (unstandardized beta = 0.69, p = 0.008, SE = 0.26) and concordance over (a) content (unstandardized beta = 1.09, p = 0.002, SE = 0.34) and (b) importance (unstandardized beta = -0.78, p = 0.006, SE 0.28). Conclusion: Although patient expectations were not well met and physician-patient discord was high about the content of consultations and the importance of consultation items, patients reported high levels of satisfaction. Expectation fulfillment and levels of concordance predicted satisfaction. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Keywords: adult; controlled study; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; patient satisfaction; major clinical study; clinical trial; united states; cancer patient; breast cancer; patient education; patient education as topic; breast neoplasms; oncology; social support; doctor patient relation; early cancer; multicenter study; breast tumor; physician-patient relations; physician-patient concordance; satisfaction; consultation; emotion; expectation; information dissemination; ohio; texas
Journal Title: Psycho-Oncology
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1057-9249
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons  
Date Published: 2009-01-01
Start Page: 42
End Page: 49
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/pon.1376
PUBMED: 18484569
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC4839191
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 5" - "Export Date: 30 November 2010" - "CODEN: POJCE" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Richard Brown
    19 Brown
  2. Catherine Rw Hill
    2 Hill