Arzt-Patienten-Kommunikation in der Tumorbehandlung: Erwartungen und Erfahrungen aus Patientensicht

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Vogel, Barbara A. | Helmes, Almut W. | Bengel, Jürgen

Affiliations: Abt. für Rehabilitationspsychologie, Institut für Psychologie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, D-79085 Freiburg. Tel.: 07612033041; Fax: 07612033040; E-mail: vogel@psychologie.uni-freiburg.de

Abstract: Building a relationship, information-exchange and treatment decision making are essential elements of physician-patient communication. This review aims at answering the following questions: What are the needs that cancer patients have regarding physician-patient communication? What are the areas of physician-patient communication in which patients experience shortcomings? What implications derive for clinical practice? A literature research was conducted for the years 1990–2005 with the topics of physician-patient communication and relationship, exchange of information and decision making. Analyses showed that cancer patients find a personal and individual relationship to their physician of vital importance for effective physician-patient communication. Patients expect medical as well as psychological support from their physicians. Individual information needs and decision making preferences of cancer patients can hardly be predicted. From the patients' perspective most shortcomings are experienced in information giving and decision making. In order to satisfy cancer patients' needs and to improve the shortcomings, physicians should use patient-centred communication techniques.

Keywords: physician-patient communication, cancer, information needs, decision making, review

Journal: Zeitschrift für Medizinische Psychologie, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 149-161, 2006