The influence of patient-centered communication during radiotherapy education sessions on post-consultation patient outcomes

Objective

To adapt an observational tool for assessing patient-centeredness of radiotherapy consultations and to assess whether scores for this tool and an existing tool assessing patient-perceived patient-centeredness predict patient outcomes.

Methods

The Measure of Patient-Centered Communication (MPCC), an observational coding system that assesses depth of discussion during a consultation, was adapted to the radiotherapy context. Fifty-six radiotherapy patients (from 10 radiation therapists) had their psycho-education sessions recorded and coded using the MPCC. Patients also completed instruments assessing their perception of patient-centeredness, trust in the radiation therapist, satisfaction with the consultation, authentic self-representation (ASR) and state anxiety.

Results

The MPCC correlated weakly with patient-perceived patient-centeredness. The Feelings subcomponent of the MPCC predicted one aspect of ASR and trust, and interacted with level of therapist experience to predict trust. Patient-perceived patient-centeredness, which exhibited a ceiling effect, predicted satisfaction.

Conclusion

Patient-centered communication is an important predictor of patient outcomes in radiotherapy and obviates some negative aspects of radiation therapists’ experience on patient trust. As in other studies, there is a weak association between self-reported and observational coding of PCC.

Practice implications

Radiation therapists have both technical and supportive roles to play in patient care, and may benefit from training in their supportive role.