Communication between clinicians and patients is a multidimensional concept and involves the content of dialogue, the affective component (i.e., what happens emotionally to the physician and patient during the encounter), and nonverbal behaviors. In oncology, communication skills are a key to achieving the important goals of the clinical encounter.[1] These goals include establishing trust and rapport, gathering information from the patient and the patient’s family, giving bad news and other information about the illness, addressing patient emotions, and eliciting concerns.[2-4] Effective and supportive communication can assist the patient and his or her family in navigating a successful transition to palliative care.[5] Moreover, the need for truly informed consent and the patient’s right to health care information and compassionate care create ethical, legal, and humanistic mandates for competency in oncology communication.[6]

References

1. Levy MH: Doctor-patient communication: the lifeline to comprehensive cancer care. In: Perry MC, ed.: American Society of Clinical Oncology Educational Book: Thirty-Fourth Annual Meeting, Spring 1998. Alexandria, Va: American Society of Clinical Oncology, 1998, pp 195-202. 
   
   
2. Parle M, Jones B, Maguire P: Maladaptive coping and affective disorders among cancer patients. Psychol Med 26 (4): 735-44, 1996.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
3. Roberts CS, Cox CE, Reintgen DS, et al.: Influence of physician communication on newly diagnosed breast patients' psychologic adjustment and decision-making. Cancer 74 (1 Suppl): 336-41, 1994.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
4. Buckman R: Communications and emotions. BMJ 325 (7366): 672, 2002.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
5. Detmar SB, Muller MJ, Schornagel JH, et al.: Role of health-related quality of life in palliative chemotherapy treatment decisions. J Clin Oncol 20 (4): 1056-62, 2002.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
6. Baile WF: Communication competency in oncology: legal, ethical and humanistic imperatives. [Abstract] Psychooncology 15 (Suppl 2): A-13, S6, 2006. 
   
   

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