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Senger A, Venetis MK, Greene K, Catona D, Devine KA. Healthcare provider assessments of caregiver communication behaviors during gynecologic Cancer treatment appointments. PEC INNOVATION 2024; 4:100259. [PMID: 38347863 PMCID: PMC10859277 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Objective Caregivers often accompany patients to cancer-related medical appointments. Limited research exists on healthcare providers' (HCPs) evaluation of how caregiver communication influences interactions between healthcare providers and patients, particularly during gynecologic treatment visits. HCPs may perceive caregiver communication as helpful or challenging, and these triadic interactions may influence patient outcomes. Methods Interviews with ten cancer specialist HCPs (medical assistants/technicians, nurse practitioners/registered nurses, oncologists) addressed experiences interacting with patients and caregivers. Results Analyses revealed two themes concerning helpful communication: caregivers managing information and managing patient emotions. Three challenging themes include caregiver communication unsettling healthcare interactions, caregiver presence limiting patient communication, and caregiver engagement challenges. Conclusion HCPs evaluate caregiver communication as helpful and challenging. Findings suggest benefits of communication training for gynecologic cancer patients such as requesting privacy when interacting with HCPs, for caregivers to promote awareness of effects of their behavior, and for HCPs to help manage triadic interactions while supporting patient needs. Innovation HCP assessment of caregiver communication during gynecologic treatment visits offers unique insights regarding helpful and challenging behaviors contributing to implications for patient care and well-being. Applications may extend to other triadic interactions and cancer settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Senger
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Department of Communication, 4 Huntington Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Department of Pediatric Population Science, Outcomes, and Disparities Research, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Maria K. Venetis
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Department of Communication, 4 Huntington Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Kathryn Greene
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Department of Communication, 4 Huntington Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Danielle Catona
- University of Maryland, School of Public Health, 4200 Valley Drive, Suite 2242, College Park, MD 20742-2611, USA
| | - Katie A. Devine
- Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Department of Pediatric Population Science, Outcomes, and Disparities Research, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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2
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Yan T, Yang M. Adult Children as Companions in Geriatric Consultations: An Interpersonal Perspective from China. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38862401 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2024.2364442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Despite the prevalence of accompanied medical visits all over the world, most literature on triadic medical communication shares an Anglo-American background; little is known about non-dyadic medical interactions in Asian societies such as China. This article explores triadic interactions in Chinese geriatric outpatient consultations, focusing on the interpersonal dynamics between doctors, older patients, and the adult children who accompany them throughout the consultation. From an interpersonal pragmatic approach, we conduct a conversation analysis of the transcription of 36 audio-recorded encounters. Our findings demonstrate three patterns of companions' communicative actions during geriatric visits: enhancing rapport, mitigating face threats, and adding tension. These patterns reveal the multi-faceted nature of adult children's participation in geriatric care, highlighting their capacity to simultaneously facilitate a positive interpersonal atmosphere and pose challenges to their older parents' face. Delving into the nuanced mechanisms through which these patterns of engagement are triggered, warranted, and negotiated by all participants in the local contingencies, we further illuminate the institutional and cultural context that informs companions' intervention. Our analysis demonstrates that the influence of Chinese familial values and institutional constraints in Chinese tertiary hospitals, including restricted time and limited privacy within the clinic room, have shaped the interpersonal dynamic in triadic geriatric care. Our research calls for the development of nuanced and targeted interventions and training for healthcare professionals and companions of older patients alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxin Yan
- School of Foreign Languages, Renmin University of China
| | - Min Yang
- School of Foreign Languages, Renmin University of China
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3
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Henderson NL, Padalkar T, Bourne G, Hendrix EK, Williams CP, Odom JN, Triebel K, Rocque GB. Assessing the association between quantity and quality of family caregiver participation in decision-making clinical encounters on patient activation in the metastatic breast cancer setting. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:422. [PMID: 38858225 PMCID: PMC11164765 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08593-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Caregivers support individuals undergoing cancer treatment by assisting with activities, managing care, navigating healthcare systems, and communicating with care teams. We explored the quality and quantity of caregiver participation during recorded decision-making clinical appointments in women with metastatic breast cancer. METHODS This was a convergent parallel mixed methods study that utilized qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Caregiver participation quality was operationalized using a summative thematic content analysis to identify and sum caregiver actions performed during appointments. Performance of a greater number of actions was considered greater quality of participation. Caregiver participation quantity was measured by calculating the proportion of speaking time. Participation quality and quantity were compared to patient activation, assessed using the Patient Activation Measure 1-month post decision-making appointment. RESULTS Fifty-three clinical encounters between patients with MBC, their caregivers, and oncologists were recorded. Identified caregiver actions included: General Support; Management of Treatment or Medication; Treatment History; Decision-Making; Insurance or Money; Pharmacy; Scheduling; Travel Concerns; General Cancer Understanding; Patient Specific Cancer Understanding; Caregiver-Initiated or Emphasis on Symptom Severity; and Caregiver Back-Up of Patient Symptom Description. Caregivers averaged 5 actions (SD 3): 48% of patient's caregivers had low quality (< 5 actions) and 52% had high quality (> 6 actions) participation. Regarding quantity, caregivers spoke on average for 4% of the encounter, with 60% of caregivers speaking less than 4% of the encounter (low quantity) and 40% of caregivers speaking more than 4% (high quantity). Greater quality and quantity of caregiver participation was associated with greater patient activation. CONCLUSIONS Caregivers perform a variety of actions during oncological decision-making visits aiding both patient and provider. Greater participation in terms of quantity and quality by the caregiver was associated with greater patient activism, indicating a need for better integration of the caregiver in clinical decision-making environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Henderson
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Tanvi Padalkar
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Garrett Bourne
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Emma K Hendrix
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Courtney P Williams
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - J Nicholas Odom
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kristen Triebel
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Gabrielle B Rocque
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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4
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Venetis MK, Bontempo AC, Catona D, Buckley de Meritens A, Devine KA, Greene K. Dilemmas and Strategy When Companion Participation During Appointments Differs from Patient and Companion Expectations. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024; 39:876-887. [PMID: 36941532 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2023.2190244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer patients often attend medical interactions with at least one companion. The degree to which companions participate varies, ranging from passive observer to active advocate. However, the structure of the medical interaction often promotes dyadic rather than triadic communication, creating ambiguity about to the degree to which companions can and should participate. Participants (N = 34, 16 dyads) included gynecologic cancer patients who were undergoing chemotherapy treatment (n = 18) and their companions (n = 16); all participants were separately interviewed. Interviews included discussion of dyadic communication patterns within medical interactions. The normative rhetorical theory (Goldsmith, 2019) was applied as a guiding framework. Patients discussed the dilemma they experience when companions are expected but absent. Patients and companions provided positive reports of companion communication when behavior aligned with expectations. Alternatively, patients and companions experience dilemmas when companions participate more than or differently from how patients and/or companions had expected. Companions provided one strategy for managing the dilemma of how to participate in medical interactions. Implications and limitations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Katie A Devine
- Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey
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5
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Nahm SH, Subramaniam S, Stockler MR, Kiely BE. Timing of prognostic discussions in people with advanced cancer: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:127. [PMID: 38261070 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-08230-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Many people with cancer (patients) want to know their prognosis (a quantitative estimate of their life expectancy) but this is often not discussed or poorly communicated. The optimal timing of prognostic discussions with people with advanced cancer is highly personalised and complex. We aimed to find, organise, and summarise research regarding the timing of discussions of prognosis with people with advanced cancer. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of publications from databases, clinical practice guidelines, and grey literature from inception to 2023. We also searched the reference lists of systematic reviews, editorials, and clinical trial registries. Eligibility criteria included publications regarding adults with advanced cancer that reported a timepoint when a discussion of prognosis occurred or should occur. RESULTS We included 63 of 798 identified references; most of which were cross-sectional cohort studies with a range of 4-9105 participants. Doctors and patients agreed on several timepoints including at diagnosis of advanced cancer, when the patient asked, upon disease progression, when there were no further anti-cancer treatments, and when recommending palliative care. Most of these timepoints aligned with published guidelines and expert recommendations. Other recommended timepoints depended on the doctor's clinical judgement, such as when the patient 'needed to know' or when the patient 'seemed ready'. CONCLUSIONS Prognostic discussions with people with advanced cancer need to be individualised, and there are several key timepoints when doctors should attempt to initiate these conversations. These recommended timepoints can inform clinical trial design and communication training for doctors to help improve prognostic understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon H Nahm
- The NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Locked Bag 77, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 1450, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shalini Subramaniam
- The NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Locked Bag 77, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 1450, Australia
- Bankstown Cancer Centre, Sydney, Australia
| | - Martin R Stockler
- The NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Locked Bag 77, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 1450, Australia
- Concord Cancer Centre, Sydney, Australia
| | - Belinda E Kiely
- The NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, The University of Sydney, Locked Bag 77, Camperdown, Sydney, NSW, 1450, Australia.
- Concord Cancer Centre, Sydney, Australia.
- Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centre, Sydney, Australia.
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Henderson NL, Padalkar T, Bourne G, Hendrix EK, Williams CP, Odom JN, Triebel K, Rocque G. Assessing the Impact of Family Caregivers in Clinical Encounter Participation on Patient Activation in the Metastatic Breast Cancer Setting. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3677175. [PMID: 38106056 PMCID: PMC10723531 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3677175/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Objective Caregivers support individuals undergoing cancer treatment by assisting with activities, managing care, navigating healthcare systems, and communicating with care teams. We explored the quantity and quality of caregiver participation during recorded clinical appointments in women with metastatic breast cancer. Methods This was a convergent parallel mixed methods study. Caregiver participation quality was operationalized using a summative thematic content analysis to identify and sum caregiver roles performed during appointments. Caregiver participation quantity was measured by calculating the proportion of speaking time. Participation quality and quantity were compared to patient activation, assessed using the Patient Activation Measure. Results Fifty-three clinical encounters were recorded. Identified caregiver roles included: General Support; Management of Treatment or Medication; Treatment History; Decision-Making; Insurance or Money; Pharmacy; Scheduling; Travel Concerns; General Cancer Understanding; Patient Specific Cancer Understanding; Caregiver-Initiated or Emphasis on Symptom Severity; and Caregiver Back-Up of Patient Symptom Description. Caregivers averaged 5 roles (SD 3): 48% of patients had low quality (< 5 roles) and 52% had high quality (> 6 roles). Regarding quantity, caregivers spoke on average for 4% of the encounter, with 60% of patients having low quantity (< 4%) and 40% of patients having high quantity (> 4%). Greater quality and quantity of caregiver participation was associated with greater patient activation. Conclusions Caregivers perform a variety of roles during oncological decision-making visits aiding both patient and provider. Greater participation in terms of quantity and quality by the caregiver was associated with greater patient activism, indicating a need for better integration of the caregiver in clinical decision-making environments.
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Zhang S, Cheng M, Ma W, Liu H, Zhao C. Companion responses to diagnosis in Chinese outpatient clinical interaction. Soc Sci Med 2023; 338:116308. [PMID: 37918227 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Patients regularly attend clinical consultations with companions in Chinese outpatient clinics. Despite companions' significant influence on clinical consultations, how companions respond to diagnosis and their contributions to the activity of diagnosis in Chinese outpatient clinical interaction remain under-researched. The present study, by adopting the method of conversation analysis, investigated clinicians' diagnostic deliveries and companions' subsequent responses in Chinese outpatient clinical interaction. The data for this study consisted of 79 video recordings of clinical consultations in the Chinese orthopedic outpatient clinic, approximately lasting 12 h and involving three male clinicians, 79 patients (37 male/42 female), and 91 companions (51 male/40 female). Three basic categories of companion responses to diagnosis were identified: minimal verbal responses, embodied responses, and extended responses. It was demonstrated that these distinct responses allowed companions to challenge clinicians' medical authority in the activity of diagnosis by delivering their own diagnostic judgments, resisting clinicians' diagnoses, and orienting to clinicians' accounts for their diagnostic statements and reasoning, thus displaying companion agency in the Chinese outpatient clinical decision-making and indicating a transition from a paternalistic model to a family-centered model of the doctor-patient relationship in the Chinese orthopedic outpatient interaction. This study furthers current knowledge of companion involvement across healthcare contexts and contributes to raising clinicians' awareness of the significance of companions' contributions in Chinese outpatient clinical interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Zhang
- School of Foreign Languages, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Meili Cheng
- School of Foreign Languages, Yantai Institute of Technology, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Wen Ma
- School of Foreign Languages and Literature, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Huashui Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Jinan Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chunjuan Zhao
- School of Foreign Languages, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China.
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8
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Canzona MR, Murphy K, Victorson D, Harry O, Clayman ML, McLean TW, Golden SL, Patel B, Strom C, Little-Greene D, Saker S, Salsman JM. Fertility Preservation Decisional Turning Points for Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer: Exploring Alignment and Divergence by Race and Ethnicity. JCO Oncol Pract 2023; 19:509-515. [PMID: 37058685 PMCID: PMC10337714 DOI: 10.1200/op.22.00613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE For adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer, fertility preservation (FP) decision making is complex and distressing. Racial/ethnic minority (REM) AYAs experience disparities in FP awareness, uptake, and outcomes. A turning point (TP) is a point of reflection, change, or decisive moment(s) resulting in changes in perspectives or trajectories. To enhance understanding of AYAs' diverse experiences, this study examined alignment and/or divergence of FP decisional TPs among non-Hispanic White (NHW) AYAs and REM AYAs. METHODS Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted in person, by video, or phone with 36 AYAs (20 NHW and 16 REM [nine Hispanic and seven Black/multiracial Black). The constant comparative method was used to identify and analyze themes illustrating participants' conceptualization and/or experience of FP decisional TPs. RESULTS Seven thematic TPs emerged: (1) emotional reaction to discovering FP procedures exist; (2) encountering unclear or dismissive communication during initial fertility conversations with health care providers; (3) encountering direct and supportive communication during initial fertility conversations with health care providers; (4) participating in critical family conversations about pursuing FP; (5) weighing personal desire for a child against other priorities/circumstances; (6) realizing FP is not feasible, and (7) experiencing unanticipated changes in cancer diagnosis or treatment plans/procedures. TP variations include REM participants reported dismissive communication and suggested cost was prohibitive. NHW participants emphasized more forcefully that biological children may become a future priority. CONCLUSION Understanding how clinical communication and priorities/resources may vary for NHW and REM AYAs can inform future interventions aimed at reducing health disparities and enhancing patient-centered care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie R. Canzona
- Department of Communication, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Karly Murphy
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - David Victorson
- Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Onengiya Harry
- Pediatrics—Rheumatology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Marla L. Clayman
- Department of Population and Quantitative Research, UMass Chan School of Medicine, Worcester, MA
| | - Thomas W. McLean
- Pediatrics—Hematology/and Oncology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC
| | | | - Bonnie Patel
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medicine, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Carla Strom
- Operations, Office of Cancer Health Equity, Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC
| | | | - Siba Saker
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - John M. Salsman
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
- Clinical Research in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, NC
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9
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Stewart SJ, Roberts L, Brindle L. Speaking out of turn: Implications of partner contributions for patient autonomy during prostate cancer consultations. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2023; 112:107722. [PMID: 37084668 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.107722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This research examines how partners contribute to clinical consultations for people with prostate cancer. It highlights a social practice where a partner responds to talk that addresses a patient. METHODS A conversation analysis of twenty-eight prostate cancer treatment and diagnostic consultations was carried out using data collected from four clinical sites across England. RESULTS The analysis demonstrated that this practice was prosocial and patient enabling. Partners oriented to the patient's primary rights to take their turn as the selected next speaker, only initiating after a substantial delay from the clinician's turn-at-talk. Consequently, the partner consistently opened an opportunity space that the patient took to elaborate upon, or collaborate with the partners' turn as they regularly took up a unified stance resisting the individualised configuration of the encounter. CONCLUSION This research highlights the social and clinical utility of partners during these consultations, as they served as important, yet underutilised interactional and informational resources for clinicians and patients. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS This research indicates a need to reconsider the configuration of these consultations and sanction partners as formal participants. Absent of this, partners will continue to have to work to insert their contributions into consultations while resisting the dyadic structure of these interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon John Stewart
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Science, and Wellbeing, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK
| | - Lisa Roberts
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Therapy Services, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Lucy Brindle
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
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10
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Canzona MR, Fisher CL, Garcia DS, Dong T, Ledford CJW. Partner presence in clinical conversations about sexual health: Breast cancer survivors', partners', and providers' perspectives of triadic interactions. J Psychosoc Oncol 2023; 41:166-181. [PMID: 35587166 DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2022.2068397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Breast cancer survivors' (BCSs') sexual health (SH) clinical conversations are rarely studied from a dyadic perspective let alone from a triadic perspective. Using a triadic approach, we evaluated BCSs' comfort discussing SH with partners present and identified factors that can contribute to their comfort level. DESIGN Qualitative approach using in-depth interviews. PARTICIPANTS 93 BCSs, partners, and providers involved in BCS care. METHODS In-depth interviews with BCSs, partners, and providers explored triadic perspectives to understand factors informing BCSs' comfort level. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data. FINDINGS Four themes characterize potential benefits of partner presence: 1) partner facilitates information exchange, 2) partner realizes BCS's SH concerns are "a real thing," 3) partner better understands SH challenges, and 4) partner presence encourages relational communication about SH. Five themes illustrate potential complications of partner presence: 1) partner feels/becomes embarrassed, 2) partner is/becomes defensive, 3) partner presence constrains BCS's agency in clinical conversations, 4) partner presence threatens partner's view of BCS as a sexual being, and 5) partner presence increases partner burden. IMPLICATIONS FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL ONCOLOGY Providers should (1) initiate conversations about BCS comfort with partner presence, (2) be aware of the interaction between BCS primary and secondary goals, (3) consider how BCS/partner goal conflicts obstruct BCS agency and sexual/relational health, and (4) offer opportunities to clarify goals and expectations, and coordinate therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie Rose Canzona
- Department of Communication, Wake Forest University, Department Social Sciences & Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Carla L Fisher
- College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida, UF Health Cancer Center, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - David S Garcia
- Eglin Family Medicine Residency, Eglin Air Force Base, Okaloosa, Florida, USA
| | - Thrandia Dong
- Department of Communication, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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11
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Dwyer LA, Epstein RM, Feeney BC, Blair IV, Bolger N, Ferrer RA. Responsive social support serves important functions in clinical communication: Translating perspectives from relationship science to improve cancer clinical interactions. Soc Sci Med 2022; 315:115521. [PMID: 36384086 PMCID: PMC9722606 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Patient-clinician interactions are critical to patient-centered care, including in cancer care contexts which are often defined by multiple patient-clinician interactions over an extended period. Research on these dyadic interactions has been guided by perspectives in clinical communication science, but the study of clinical communication has not been fully integrated with perspectives on interpersonal interactions from relationship science research. An overlapping concept in both fields is the concept of responsive socialsupport. In this article, we discuss responsiveness as a concept that offers opportunities for connections between these two disciplines. Next, we focus on how relationship science can be applied to research in clinical settings. We discuss how three areas of relationship science define responsiveness and have potential for extension to clinical communication: (1) (in)visibility of social support, (2) attachment orientations, and (3) shared meaning systems. We also discuss how social biases can impede responsiveness and suggest research avenues to develop ideas and understand potential challenges in connecting these two fields. Many opportunities exist for interdisciplinary theory development that can generate momentum in understanding interpersonal processes in cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ronald M Epstein
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Brooke C Feeney
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Irene V Blair
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Niall Bolger
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rebecca A Ferrer
- Basic Biobehavioral and Psychological Sciences Branch, Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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12
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Tarbi EC, Blanch-Hartigan D, van Vliet LM, Gramling R, Tulsky JA, Sanders JJ. Toward a basic science of communication in serious illness. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2022; 105:1963-1969. [PMID: 35410737 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2022.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
High-quality communication can mitigate suffering during serious illness. Innovations in theory and technology present the opportunity to advance serious illness communication research, moving beyond inquiry that links broad communication constructs to health outcomes toward operationalizing and understanding the impact of discrete communication functions on human experience. Given the high stakes of communication during serious illness, we see a critical need to develop a basic science approach to serious illness communication research. Such an approach seeks to link "what actually happens during a conversation" - the lexical and non-lexical communication content elements, as well as contextual factors - with the emotional and cognitive experiences of patients, caregivers, and clinicians. This paper defines and justifies a basic science approach to serious illness communication research and outlines investigative and methodological opportunities in this area. A systematic understanding of the building blocks of serious illness communication can help identify evidence-informed communication strategies that promote positive patient outcomes, shape more targeted communication skills training for clinicians, and lead to more tailored and meaningful serious illness care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise C Tarbi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Boston, USA.
| | | | | | - Robert Gramling
- University of Vermont. Department of Family Medicine, Burlington, USA.
| | - James A Tulsky
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Boston, USA; Brigham and Women's Hospital, Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston, USA.
| | - Justin J Sanders
- McGill University, Division of Palliative Care, Department of Family Medicine, Montreal, Canada.
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13
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Pino M, Land V. How companions speak on patients' behalf without undermining their autonomy: Findings from a conversation analytic study of palliative care consultations. SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH & ILLNESS 2022; 44:395-415. [PMID: 35157323 PMCID: PMC9306617 DOI: 10.1111/1467-9566.13427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Companions are individuals who support patients and attend health-care appointments with them. Several studies characterised companions' participation in broad terms, glossing over the details of how they time and design their actions, and how patients and health-care practitioners (HCPs) respond to them. This article aims to examine these aspects in detail by using conversation analysis, focusing on actions whereby companions speak on patients' behalf-mentioning delicate aspects of patients' experience (specifically, by alluding to patients' thoughts or feelings about dying). Some studies suggested that these actions undermine patients' autonomy. By contrast, through examination of palliative care consultations in a UK hospice, we found that these interventions are warranted by contextual circumstances: they are either invited by patients or HCPs (through questions or gaze) or volunteered to help with the progression of an activity (e.g. when a patient does not answer an HCP's question). Additionally, all parties collaborate in constructing these companion interventions as temporary departures from an otherwise prevailing normative orientation to patients' right to speak for themselves. The study contributes to the sociology of health and illness by characterising how companions contribute to the ways in which participants coordinate their relative rights and responsibilities, and ultimately their relationships, within health-care interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pino
- School of Social Sciences and HumanitiesLoughborough UniversityLoughboroughUK
| | - Victoria Land
- School of Social Sciences and HumanitiesLoughborough UniversityLoughboroughUK
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Patient activation and treatment decision-making in the context of cancer: examining the contribution of informal caregivers' involvement. J Cancer Surviv 2021; 16:929-939. [PMID: 34510365 DOI: 10.1007/s11764-021-01085-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The present work investigated the relationship between patient activation, treatment decision-making, and adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen. Given the role of informal caregivers in patient-reported outcomes, it was additionally assessed whether caregiver involvement acted as a moderator of this relationship. METHODS Survey data collected from 504 cancer survivors were utilized. Structural equation modeling (SEM) controlling for covariates was used to examine the relationship between patient activation measure (PAM), caregiver involvement, and the identified outcomes. Moderator analysis was conducted using multiple group SEM. RESULTS Patient activation was significantly associated with treatment planning being reflective of survivors' goals and values (p < 0.001); adherence to treatment (p = 0.011); and satisfaction (p < 0.001). Caregiver's involvement significantly moderated the association between activation and adherence to treatment. CONCLUSIONS Patient activation was positively associated with all three selected outcomes. However, for cancer survivors reporting low rates of caregiver's involvement, patient activation was not associated with treatment adherence. Research is needed to test and deliver self-management interventions inclusive of informal caregivers. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS Findings supported the need not only to monitor and sustain patient activation across the cancer continuum, but also to assume a dyadic perspective when designing self-management interventions in cancer survivorship.
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15
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Fatigante M, Zucchermaglio C, Alby F. Being in Place: A Multimodal Analysis of the Contribution of the Patient's Companion to "First Time" Oncological Visits. Front Psychol 2021; 12:664747. [PMID: 34149558 PMCID: PMC8209470 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.664747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Companions to medical visits have been alternatively viewed as members who “support” or “inhibit” and “interfere” with the doctor-patient interaction. One way of looking at the companions' contribution to medical visits is by coding roles or functions of their communicative behavior. Our paper aims at reconsidering these findings and analyzing how the companion participation is a local and sequential accomplishment, changing from time to time in the consultation. The paper relies upon an overall collection of 58 videorecordings of first oncological visits. Visits were conducted in two different hospitals, one of which a University hospital, and by different oncologists, including both senior professionals and (in the second setting) medical students in oncology. Visits were fully transcribed according to the Jeffersonian conventions and authors examined the transcripts and video according to the methodology of Conversation Analysis. The aim of the paper focused on how patient's companions orient and contribute to the accomplishment of the different aims and activities at different stages of the visit as an institutional speech event. The multimodal analysis of turns and actions (such as, gaze shifts, prosodic modulation, bodily arrangements), and the close examination of the sequential and temporal arrangements of companions' and their co-participants' turns revealed that companions finely attune to the multiparty framework of the encounter and the institutional constraints that govern the oncological first visit. Overall, results show two relevant features: that companions act as to preserve the doctor-patient interaction and to maintain the patient as the most responsible and legitimate agent in the interaction; that companions' contributions are relevant to the activities that sequentially unfold at different stages in the consultation (e.g., history taking, problem presentation, treatment recommendation etc.). The study complements earlier findings on the companion's roles, showing how these are highly mobile, multimodal and multiparty accomplishments, and they are tied to the specific contingencies of the visit. The results solicit to consider the value of multimodal analysis in understanding the complexity of multiparty communication in medical setting, and make it usable also in medical education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Fatigante
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Zucchermaglio
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Alby
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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16
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Stewart SJ, Roberts L, Brindle L. Romantic partner involvement during oncology consultations: A narrative review of qualitative and quantitative studies. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2021; 104:64-74. [PMID: 32868161 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the currently available research into romantic partner involvement during oncology consultations. METHODS Studies were identified via database searches plus hand-searching. A narrative review was performed using the principles of Thematic, and Framework syntheses. The search strategy was performed according to the principles of PRISMA. RESULTS From 631 results, 18 studies were included. The findings indicate that romantic partners are most valued by patients when they provide emotional, practical, and informational support. It is also indicated that psychosocial and sexual concerns are rarely discussed. Couples' self-reported satisfaction with consultations appear related to the extent of romantic partner involvement, the roles that they enacted, and the extent to which psychosocial and sexual concerns were addressed. CONCLUSION This review indicates that romantic partner involvement during clinical consultations enhances the couple's experience. However, there are methodological limitations to this body of research, which are discussed in this review. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Research to date has yet to offer an exploration of the social practices and conversational actions relating to romantic partner involvement during triadic oncology consultations. Future studies that draw upon recordings of these consultations, using methods capable of analysing situated social practices can address this gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon John Stewart
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
| | - Lisa Roberts
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
| | - Lucy Brindle
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
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17
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Social networks of older patients with advanced cancer: Potential contributions of an integrated mixed methods network analysis. J Geriatr Oncol 2020; 12:855-859. [PMID: 33342721 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2020.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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18
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Åberg C, Gillsjö C, Hallgren J, Berglund M. "It is like living in a diminishing world": older persons' experiences of living with long-term health problems - prior to the STRENGTH intervention. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2020; 15:1747251. [PMID: 32275201 PMCID: PMC7178864 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2020.1747251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Ageing is often associated with multiple long-term health problems influencing older persons' well-being in daily living. It is not unusual that the point of interest in research is often on the management of the actual health problem instead of being holistic and person-centred.Purpose: To describe the phenomenon of living with long-term health problems that influence daily living, from the older persons' perspective.Methods: Qualitative individual interviews were conducted with 34 older persons living with long-term health problems. The data were analysed using a Reflected Lifeworld Research (RLR) approach, grounded in phenomenology. Results: Life with long-term health problems entails living in a diminishing world. It entails living in uncertainty, not being able to trust one's own ability. The freedom to make decisions of your own is deprived by relatives and health-care providers. Living with long-term health problems entails being dependent on support in daily life and a strive to maintain meaningfulness in daily living.Conclusions: The results address a need for extended individual and holistic guidance and support in living with long-term health problems to increase the older person's sense of well-being and meaning in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Åberg
- School of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
- School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Catharina Gillsjö
- School of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
- College of Nursing, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Jenny Hallgren
- School of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
- School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden
| | - Mia Berglund
- School of Health Sciences, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden
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19
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Mazzi MA, Perlini C, Deledda G, Ghilardi A, Buizza C, Bottacini A, Goss C, Del Piccolo L. Employment status and information needs of patients with breast cancer: a multicentre cross-sectional study of first oncology consultations. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e038543. [PMID: 32994250 PMCID: PMC7526300 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the early information needs of women with a recent diagnosis of breast cancer (BC) according to their employment status. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Secondary-care patients attending three outpatient oncology clinics in northern Italy. PARTICIPANTS 377 women with a recent diagnosis of early-stage, non-metastatic BC aged 18-75 were recruited. Of them, 164 were employed, 103 non-employed and 110 retired. OUTCOME MEASURES The first consultation visit with an oncologist was audio-recorded and analysed for the number and type of questions asked. Linear regression models considering consultations' and patients' characteristics as confounding variables were applied. RESULTS Employed patients asked significantly more questions than non-employed and retired patients (17 vs 13 and 14; F=6.04; p<0.01). When age and education were included in the statistical model, the significance of employment status was rearranged among all the variables and was no more significant (b=1.2, p=0.44). Employed women asked more questions concerning disease prognosis (0.7 vs 0.4 and 0.6; F=3.5; p=0.03), prevention (1.4 vs 0.6 and 0.7; F=10.7; p<0.01), illness management (7.2 vs 6 and 5.4; F=3.8; p=0.02) and social functioning (37% vs 18% and 20%; χ2=14.3; p<0.01) compared with the other two groups. Finally, they attended more frequently the consultation alone (37% vs 18% and 25%; χ2=10.90, p<0.01), were younger (50 vs 58 and 67 years; F=63.8; p<0.01) and with a higher level of education (77% vs 27% and 45%; χ2=68.2; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Employment status is related to the type of questions asked during the first consultation. Also, it interrelates with other patients' characteristics like age and education in determining the number of questions asked. Patients' characteristics including employment status could be considered in tailoring work and social-related information provided during the first oncological consultation. Future studies could explore potential differences in information needs according to the different kinds of work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Angela Mazzi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Cinzia Perlini
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Deledda
- Clinical Psychological Service, UO of Clinical Psychology, Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalisation and Health Care (IRCCS) "Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria", Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | - Alberto Ghilardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of Clinical Psychology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Chiara Buizza
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Unit of Clinical Psychology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Bottacini
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Claudia Goss
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lidia Del Piccolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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20
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Loh KP, Xu H, Back A, Duberstein PR, Gupta Mohile S, Epstein R, McHugh C, Klepin HD, Abel G, Lee SJ, El-Jawahri A, LeBlanc TW. Patient-hematologist discordance in perceived chance of cure in hematologic malignancies: A multicenter study. Cancer 2019; 126:1306-1314. [PMID: 31809566 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.32656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ensuring that patients with hematologic malignancies have an accurate understanding of their likelihood of cure is important for informed decision making. In a multicenter, longitudinal study, the authors examined discordance in patients' perception of their chance of cure versus that of their hematologists, whether patient-hematologist discordance changed after a consultation with a hematologist, and factors associated with persistent discordance. METHODS Before and after consultation with a hematologist, patients were asked about their perceived chance of cure (options were <10%, 10%-19%, and up to 90%-100% in 10% increments, and "do not wish to answer"). Hematologists were asked the same question after consultation. Discordance was defined as a difference in response by 2 levels. The McNemar test was used to compare changes in patient-hematologist prognostic discordance from before to after consultation. A generalized linear mixed model was used to examine associations between factors and postconsultation discordance, adjusting for clustering at the hematologist level. RESULTS A total of 209 patients and 46 hematologists from 4 sites were included in the current study. Before consultation, approximately 61% of dyads were discordant, which improved to 50% after consultation (P < .01). On multivariate analysis, lower educational level (<college vs postgraduate: odds ratio [OR], 2.24; 95% CI, 1.02-4.92), higher social support-affection subscale score (1-unit change in score: OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00-1.32), and discordance before consultation (OR, 6.17; 95% CI, 2.99-12.72) were found to be significantly associated with discordance after consultation. CONCLUSIONS Patient-hematologist concordance in prognostic understanding appears to improve after a hematology consultation, but approximately one-half of patients' views of their prognoses were found to remain discordant with those of their hematologists. Interventions are needed to improve prognostic understanding among patients with hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kah Poh Loh
- James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Huiwen Xu
- Department of Surgery, Cancer Control, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
| | - Anthony Back
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Paul R Duberstein
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Supriya Gupta Mohile
- James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Ronald Epstein
- James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York.,Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York.,Palliative Care Program, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
| | - Colin McHugh
- James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Heidi D Klepin
- Section on Hematology and Oncology, Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Gregory Abel
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephanie J Lee
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Areej El-Jawahri
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Thomas W LeBlanc
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
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21
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Mitchell J, Hawkins J, Williams EDG, Eggly S, Albrecht TL. Decoding the Role of Companions in Supporting the Health Communication of Older African-American Men With Cancer. J Patient Exp 2019; 7:324-330. [PMID: 32821791 PMCID: PMC7410131 DOI: 10.1177/2374373519844098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to systematically characterize the content and patterning of companion’s communicative behavior during oncology consultations for older African-American male patients. Companions and family members often play an important role in patient-centered communication for patients with cancer. Despite their disproportionate cancer burden, little is known about how companions facilitate patient-provider communication for older African-American men with cancer. This study represents a secondary qualitative analysis of 14 video-recorded doctor patient-companion medical visits for African-American male patients with cancer. Videos were captured with consent and institutional review board approval at a Midwest comprehensive cancer center between 2002 and 2006. These medical visits were transcribed, deidentified, and analyzed for the content, frequency, co-occurrence, and thematic clustering of companions’ active participation behaviors during the interaction. Results were well aligned with existing studies on accompanied oncology visits. Patients were on average, 60.14 years old and all but one of the 16 companions was a woman. A total 782 companion behaviors were coded across 14 medical interactions. While companions communicated directly with providers (eg, asking questions, providing medical history) and directly with patients (eg, clarifying information, giving advice), there was a lack of triadic communication. This study clarifies the role of mainly spousal companions as important intermediaries in the patient-provider communication dynamic for older African-American men with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Mitchell
- School of Social Work, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jaclynn Hawkins
- School of Social Work, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Ed-Dee G Williams
- School of Social Work and Department of Sociology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Susan Eggly
- Department of Oncology, Wayne State School of Medicine/Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Terrance L Albrecht
- Population Sciences, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA.,Population Sciences Department of Oncology, WSU School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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22
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Troy E, Doltani D, Harmon D. The role of a companion attending consultations with the patient. A systematic review. Ir J Med Sci 2018; 188:743-750. [DOI: 10.1007/s11845-018-1920-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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23
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Amoah PA, Koduah AO, Gyasi RM. "Who'll do all these if I'm not around?": Bonding social capital and health and well-being of inpatients. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2018; 13:1435108. [PMID: 29447613 PMCID: PMC5827639 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2018.1435108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Although social capital influences health-related decisions and behavioural patterns in many developing countries, minimal attention has been paid to the nuances of its effect on healthcare. This paper examines how bonding social capital affects healthcare delivery for inpatients in Ghana. Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used and thematic analysis method employed to analyse the data. Interviews were conducted with health professionals and relatives and close friends of inpatients in three public health facilities in Ashanti region. Results: Relatives and close friends of inpatients were a critical source of instrumental support such as provision of meals, laundry services, running errands and financial assistance as well as emotional support. These functions—that were both ‘expected’ and ‘encouraged’— reduced the burden on the health facilities, which apparently had limited resources to offer adequate care. However, the relatives of inpatients sometimes inadvertently obstructed efficient healthcare delivery through actions such as extending ‘unapproved’ alternative care to patients. Moreover, the process of contributing towards health and well-being of the sick exposed the relatives to health risks due to poor living conditions. Conclusion: A well-defined and befitting role must be devised for at least an immediate social relation of inpatients to improve the positive effects of bonding social capital on healthcare delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padmore Adusei Amoah
- a Division of Graduate Studies and Asia Pacific Institute of Aging Studies , Lingnan University , Tuen Mun , Hong Kong (SAR)
| | | | - Razak Mohammed Gyasi
- c Department of Sociology and Social Policy , Lingnan University , Tuen Mun , Hong Kong (SAR)
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24
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Isenberg SR, Aslakson RA, Dionne-Odom JN, Clegg Smith K, Singh S, Larson S, Bridges JFP, Smith TJ, Wolff JL, Roter DL. Family companions' involvement during pre-surgical consent visits for major cancer surgery and its relationship to visit communication and satisfaction. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2018; 101:1066-1074. [PMID: 29402574 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2018.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2017] [Revised: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between family companion presence during pre-surgical visits to discuss major cancer surgery and patient-provider communication and satisfaction. METHODS Secondary analysis of 61 pre-surgical visit recordings with eight surgical oncologists at an academic tertiary care hospital using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS). Surgeons, patients, and companions completed post-visit satisfaction questionnaires. Poisson and logistic regression models assessed differences in communication and satisfaction when companions were present vs. absent. RESULTS There were 46 visits (75%) in which companions were present, and 15 (25%) in which companions were absent. Companion communication was largely emotional and facilitative, as measured by RIAS. Companion presence was associated with more surgeon talk (IRR 1.29, p = 0.006), and medical information-giving (IRR 1.41, p = 0.001). Companion presence was associated with less disclosure of lifestyle/psychosocial topics by patients (IRR 0.55, p = 0.037). In adjusted analyses, companions' presence was associated with lower levels of patient-centeredness (IRR 0.77, p 0.004). There were no differences in patient or surgeon satisfaction based on companion presence. CONCLUSION Companions' presence during pre-surgical visits was associated with patient-surgeon communication but was not associated with patient or surgeon satisfaction. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Future work is needed to develop interventions to enhance patient-companion-provider interactions in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarina R Isenberg
- Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care and Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, 60 Murray Street, 4th floor, Box 13, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3L9, Canada.
| | - Rebecca A Aslakson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
| | - James N Dionne-Odom
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL MT412 K, United States.
| | - Katherine Clegg Smith
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
| | - Sarabdeep Singh
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 401 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21287, United States.
| | - Susan Larson
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
| | - John F P Bridges
- Department of Health, Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
| | - Thomas J Smith
- Departments of Medicine and Oncology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 N. Caroline Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, United States.
| | - Jennifer L Wolff
- Department of Health, Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
| | - Debra L Roter
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
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25
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Årestedt L, Persson C, Rämgård M, Benzein E. Experiences of encounters with healthcare professionals through the lenses of families living with chronic illness. J Clin Nurs 2017; 27:836-847. [PMID: 29076223 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.14126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To describe and explore the experience of healthcare encounters in families living with chronic illness. BACKGROUND Living with chronic illness is a family concern and often includes frequent encounters with healthcare professionals. These encounters affect how persons with illness and family members handle everyday life. Disease-related explanations are perceived by healthcare professionals as being of higher importance than the actual experience of illness, even though patients are concerned with issues involving their everyday life. DESIGN A descriptive design with a qualitative approach. METHODS Narrative family interviews were conducted with twelve families, using a qualitative content analysis. RESULTS One main category was indicated following analysis, specifically "The impact of an accompanying family member." Additionally, three subcategories were revealed; "The importance of collaboration," "Mutual understanding," "A desire to be confirmed in one's illness". CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Having a participating family member increased the sense of power in families during encounters with healthcare professionals. This participation constitutes a level of support, making it easier for families to handle everyday life due to illness. Family members are, in most cases, included in discussions and decisions, both before and after encounters, and it should be a natural for healthcare professionals to invite them to the encounter too. This is an offer that may not fit every family, but the person with illness or the family should at least have the opportunity to choose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liselott Årestedt
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Carina Persson
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.,Centre for Collaborative Palliative Care, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Margareta Rämgård
- Department of Care Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Eva Benzein
- Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.,Centre for Collaborative Palliative Care, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
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Laidsaar-Powell R, Butow P, Charles C, Gafni A, Entwistle V, Epstein R, Juraskova I. The TRIO Framework: Conceptual insights into family caregiver involvement and influence throughout cancer treatment decision-making. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2017; 100:2035-2046. [PMID: 28552193 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2017.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Family caregivers are regularly involved in cancer consultations and treatment decision-making (DM). Yet there is limited conceptual description of caregiver influence/involvement in DM. To address this, an empirically-grounded conceptual framework of triadic DM (TRIO Framework) and corresponding graphical aid (TRIO Triangle) were developed. METHODS Jabareen's model for conceptual framework development informed multiple phases of development/validation, incorporation of empirical research and theory, and iterative revisions by an expert advisory group. RESULTS Findings coalesced into six empirically-grounded conceptual insights: i) Caregiver influence over a decision is variable amongst different groups; ii) Caregiver influence is variable within the one triad over time; iii) Caregivers are involved in various ways in the wider DM process; iv) DM is not only amongst three, but can occur among wider social networks; v) Many factors may affect the form and extent of caregiver involvement in DM; vi) Caregiver influence over, and involvement in, DM is linked to their everyday involvement in illness care/management. CONCLUSION The TRIO Framework/Triangle may serve as a useful guide for future empirical, ethical and/or theoretical work. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS This Framework can deepen clinicians's and researcher's understanding of the diverse and varying scope of caregiver involvement and influence in DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell
- Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Phyllis Butow
- Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cathy Charles
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Centre for Health and Policy Analysis (CHEPA), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amiram Gafni
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Centre for Health and Policy Analysis (CHEPA), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vikki Entwistle
- Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Ronald Epstein
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Ilona Juraskova
- Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Henselmans I, Van Laarhoven HW, Van der Vloodt J, De Haes HC, Smets EM. Shared decision making about palliative chemotherapy: A qualitative observation of talk about patients' preferences. Palliat Med 2017; 31:625-633. [PMID: 28618897 DOI: 10.1177/0269216316676010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Particularly at the end of life, treatment decisions should be shared and incorporate patients' preferences. This study examines elaboration and preference construction. AIM To examine the values, appraisals and preferences that patients express, as well as the oncologists' communicative behaviour that facilitates these expressions in consultations on palliative chemotherapy. DESIGN Verbatim transcripts of audio-recorded consultations ( n = 60) were analysed in MAXqda10 software. Two independent coders identified and categorised patients' preference-related utterances and oncologists' utterances, preceding and following such expressions. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Cancer patients ( n = 41) with a median life expectancy <1 year and oncologists ( n = 13) meeting with them in either initial or evaluative follow-up consultations. RESULTS Most frequent were patients' expressions of treatment preferences (65% of consultations), often the simple wish to have treatment. Expressions of underlying values (48%) and appraisals of treatment aspects (50%) were less common. Most preference-related utterances concerned single statements (59%); in 51% of the consultations, true dialogue was observed. Preference-related utterances were least common in follow-up consultations concerning stable disease or response. Preference-related fragments were patient-initiated (42%), oncologist-facilitated (28%) or oncologist-invited (30%). Oncologist responses likely to trigger more preference-related talk were showing empathy, checking and probe questioning. Likely to reduce space were providing information, personally agreeing and neutral responses. CONCLUSION Elaboration and joint preference construction is not standard practice in consultations on palliative chemotherapy. Oncologists may benefit from realising this and training skills that support this key step of shared decision making. Also, repeated shared decision making throughout the course of palliative chemotherapy should be stimulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Henselmans
- 1 Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hanneke Wm Van Laarhoven
- 2 Department of Medical Oncology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jane Van der Vloodt
- 1 Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hanneke Cjm De Haes
- 1 Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ellen Ma Smets
- 1 Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Laidsaar-Powell R, Butow P, Bu S, Dear R, Fisher A, Coll J, Juraskova I. Exploring the communication of oncologists, patients and family members in cancer consultations: development and application of a coding system capturing family-relevant behaviours (KINcode). Psychooncology 2015; 25:787-94. [DOI: 10.1002/pon.4003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell
- Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology; The University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Phyllis Butow
- Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology; The University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG); The University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Stella Bu
- Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology; The University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Rachel Dear
- Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology; The University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Alana Fisher
- Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology; The University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Joseph Coll
- Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG); The University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Ilona Juraskova
- Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), School of Psychology; The University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
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