Patient-Centered Communication in Cancer Care: The Role of the NCI’s Cancer Information Service

Abstract

While patient-centered care and the reduction of suffering due to cancer are primary goals of the NCI, improvement in the delivery of patient-centered communication has been identified as a key NCI research priority. As research on patient-centered communication evolves, the potential contributions of programs such as the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Information Service (CIS) cannot be overlooked. The purpose of this paper is to describe how the six core functions of patient-clinician communication described in the literature (fostering healing relationships, exchanging information, responding to emotions, managing uncertainty, making decisions and enabling patient-self management) are embedded in the work of the CIS. The communication process used by the CIS to extend the patient-centered communication role of the clinician will be discussed. CIS training and quality management systems will be described. Lastly, suggestions for the role of CIS in future health information delivery and research will be explored.

Cancer diagnosis disclosure preferences of family caregivers of cancer patients in Egypt

“…Patient‐centered communication that respects patients' autonomy is essential for the delivery of quality cancer care . Although it is axiomatic that telling the truth to cancer patients is important for the process of patient‐centered communication, the practice of truth telling varies across cultures .…”

Using fundamental frequency of cancer survivors’ speech to investigate emotional distress in out-patient visits

“…Due to the significant impact this can have on patients' quality of life (QoL), guidelines for patient-centered care call for these concerns to be responded to with empathy [6][7][8] and signposting to further psychological and other support services where appropriate [9]. Improvements have been accomplished by developing additional guidelines and communication training in how to detect and manage emotional distress for care providers [4,10].…”

Psychological distress and unmet supportive care needs in cancer patients and carers who contact cancer helplines

“…1988) and the consumer information processing model (Glanz & Rimer 1995). More recently, the concept of patient‐centred communication emerged in this context, where the attributes of compassion, empathy and responsiveness to the needs, values and expressed preferences of the individual were incorporated into the CIS service model (Perocchia et al . 2011).…”