Seeking informed consent to Phase I cancer clinical trials: Identifying oncologists' communication strategies Journal Article
| Authors: | Brown, R.; Bylund, C. L.; Siminoff, L. A.; Slovin, S. F. |
| Article Title: | Seeking informed consent to Phase I cancer clinical trials: Identifying oncologists' communication strategies |
| Abstract: | Purpose: Phase I clinical trials are the gateway to effective new cancer treatments. Many physicians have difficulty when discussing Phase I clinical trials. Research demonstrates evidence of suboptimal communication. Little is known about communication strategies used by oncologists when recruiting patients for Phase I trials. We analyzed audio recorded Phase I consultations to identify oncologists' communication strategies. Patients and Methods: Subjects were consecutive cancer patients from six medical oncologists attending one of three outpatient clinics at a major Cancer Center in the United States. Sixteen patients signed informed consent for audio recording of their consultations in which a Phase I study was discussed. These were transcribed in full and analyzed to identify communication strategies. Results: Six communication themes emerged from the analysis: (1) orienting, (2) educating patients, (3) describing uncertainty and prognosis, (4) persuading, (5) decision making, and (6) making a treatment recommendation. As expected, although there was some common ground between communication in Phase I and the Phase II and III settings, there were distinct differences. Conclusions: Oncologists used persuasive communication, made explicit recommendations, or implicitly expressed a treatment preference and were choice limiting. This highlights the complexity of discussing Phase I trials and the need to develop strategies to aid oncologists and patients in these difficult conversations. Patient centered communication that values patient preferences while preserving the oncologist's agenda can be a helpful approach to these discussions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
| Keywords: | adult; clinical article; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; patient selection; united states; cancer patient; neoplasms; patient education; doctor patient relation; physicians; multicenter study; communication; physician-patient relations; outpatient department; medical oncology; medical specialist; communication skill; consultation; interpersonal communication; patient decision making; informed consent; clinical trials, phase i as topic; phase i clinical trials; phase 1 clinical trial (topic); physician-patient communication; audio recording; oncologist; persuasive communication |
| Journal Title: | Psycho-Oncology |
| Volume: | 20 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| ISSN: | 1057-9249 |
| Publisher: | John Wiley & Sons |
| Date Published: | 2011-04-01 |
| Start Page: | 361 |
| End Page: | 368 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1002/pon.1748 |
| PUBMED: | 20878842 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Export Date: 23 June 2011" - "CODEN: POJCE" - "Source: Scopus" |
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