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. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.