Breast cancer patients’ information seeking during surgical consultations: A qualitative, videotape-based analysis of patients’ questions
Corresponding Author
Jeffrey D. Robinson PhD
Department of Communication, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
Correspondence to: Jeffrey D. Robinson, PhD, Department of Communication, Portland State University, University Center Building, 520 SW Harrison Street, Suite 440, Portland, OR 97201. Fax: 503-725-5385. E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorMaria Venetis PhD
Purdue University, Brian Lamb School of Communication, West Lafayette, Indiana
Search for more papers by this authorRichard L. Street Jr. PhD
Department of Communication, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, College Station, Texas
Search for more papers by this authorThomas Kearney MD
Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Jeffrey D. Robinson PhD
Department of Communication, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
Correspondence to: Jeffrey D. Robinson, PhD, Department of Communication, Portland State University, University Center Building, 520 SW Harrison Street, Suite 440, Portland, OR 97201. Fax: 503-725-5385. E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorMaria Venetis PhD
Purdue University, Brian Lamb School of Communication, West Lafayette, Indiana
Search for more papers by this authorRichard L. Street Jr. PhD
Department of Communication, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, College Station, Texas
Search for more papers by this authorThomas Kearney MD
Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Background
Despite data on breast cancer patients’ information needs and their association with patient outcomes, there are currently no data on what U.S. patients actually ask surgeons during primary consultations.
Methods
Working from transcripts of videotaped, treatment decision making consultations between breast cancer patients and surgeons, we identify all questions (by patients and companions) and then use grounded theory techniques to determine the most recurrent question-asking themes.
Results
Sample includes 132 recently diagnosed (M = 8.9 days), late-middle-aged (M = 61.2 years), female patients with predominantly early stage (0–1; 78%), first-time breast cancer (92.4%) consulting with one of nine surgeons in community based offices. Transcripts contained 2,781 questions (1,929 by patients, 852 by companions; Cohen's Kappa = 0.90), which generated 15 patient question asking themes that were represented (i.e., asked about) at least once in >20% of all consultations.
Conclusion
Question asking themes are a concrete index of what patients want to know more about prior to treatment. Identified themes specify, modify, and extend prior findings based on self-report data. Findings potentially increase surgeons’ levels of patient centered care by improving surgeons’ abilities to satisfactorily address patients’ information needs, which has the potential to improve both patient outcomes and clinical practice guidelines. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:922–929. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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