Premium
Initial phases in the development of a European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer communication‐specific module
Author(s) -
Arraras Juan Ignacio,
Kuljanic Karin,
Sztankay Monika,
Wintner Lisa M.,
Costantini Anna,
Chie WeiChu,
Liavaag Astrid Helene,
Greimel Eva,
Bredart Anne,
Arnott Maria,
Young Teresa,
Koller Michael
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.3597
Subject(s) - marie curie , university hospital , library science , obstetrics and gynaecology , medicine , family medicine , pregnancy , genetics , european union , biology , computer science , business , economic policy
Dear Editor,IntroductionCommunication between patient and professional is a keyelementinthesupportofferedtocancerpatients[1,2],espe-cially those with advanced disease. Adequate informationdisclosure, particularly when receiving bad news, involvesa process in which communication is very important [3].Models of care indicate the type of relationship andcommunication that is established between the patientand the professional. In recent years, the care given tocancer patients has changed from being paternalistic topatient centered and on the basis of patient autonomy.The paternalistic model is an asymmetrical relationshipwith the professional occupying the dominant positionand the patient merely cooperating. Professionals employtight interviewing methods to elicit the necessary medicalinformation while providing little opportunity for patientsto participate [4]. Patient-centered cancer care,ontheotherhand,respectsandrespondstotheindividualpatient’spreferences,needs,andvaluesallowingforexibilityintherelations between patients and professionals [5].The concept of patient-centered cancer care includespatient-centered communication (PCC), which is denedin terms of processes and outcomes of the patients and cli-nician interaction [6]:1. Eliciting, understanding, and validating the patients’perspective (representations, concerns, feelings, etc.);2. Understanding patients within their own psychologi-cal and social contexts;3. Reaching a shared understanding of patient’s prob-lems and how to treat them; and4. Helping patients share power by offering them mean-ingful involvement in health-related choices.Within the PCC model, Epstein et al. [6] suggest thefollowing six core functions: fostering healing relation-ships, exchanging information, responding to emotions,managing uncertainty, making decisions, and enablingpatient self-management. These authors understand