Communication in the cancer 'bad news' consultation: patient perceptions and psychological adjustment

The purpose of this study was to explore relationships between breast cancer survivors' experiences during the diagnostic consultation and their subsequent long-term psychological adjustment. Sixty women (M age=53 years) who had been diagnosed with local or regional breast cancer (Stage 0-IIIA) an average of 28 months prior were interviewed by telephone. Measures included: Cancer Diagnostic Interview Scale, Anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist - Civilian Version, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and ad hoc items regarding memory for, and satisfaction with, the diagnostic consultation. After controlling for demographic and clinical variables, the three CDIS subscales accounted for 12% of the variance in women's PCL-C scores (F change=3.46, p<0.05). The CDIS-Caring subscale was a significant predictor in the 'best-fit' regression model for each of the three indices of long-term distress (all B's>-0.23, p<0.05). In contrast, the CDIS-Competence subscale was not a significant predictor in any of the 'best-fit' models. Additionally, women's satisfaction with physician behavior during the diagnostic consultation was unrelated to all adjustment measures (r's<0.10, p's>0.50). Findings suggest that women's perceptions of physicians' interpersonal skills during the diagnostic consultation are associated with later psychological adjustment.