Patient-health care provider communication during chemotherapy treatment: the perspectives of women with breast cancer

Abstract

Recognition that communication plays a central role in the provision of quality patient care has led to learning more about interactions between patients and their health care providers. The present study examined interactions between women with breast cancer and their cancer care specialists from the patients' perspective during the time the women underwent chemotherapy treatment. In total 40 women from two regional cancer centers were interviewed about their communication experiences. Prevalent themes identified from analysis of the interview transcripts could be classified into two main categories. One category focused on the nature of the information exchange and included the themes of interaction modes and the power of information. The second category reflected relationship issues and included the themes of roles and responsibilities and connectedness. From their narratives, several patient, professional, and contextual factors could be identified that influenced women's perceptions about the quality of their communication experience.