[The announcement of the diagnosis of cancer: point of view of the general practitioner]

Abstract

The announcement of the diagnosis of cancer is difficult for doctors and patients alike. The main objective is the study of announcement's techniques used by physicians to send their patients in cancer centers. The second objective is to analyze encountered difficulties and experience of the announcement of the diagnosis. The final objective would be to provide practical ideas for GPs for a better communication with their patients in this announcement. We have conducted a qualitative study by interviewing fifteen GPs. The fifteen semi-structured interviews have been recorded and transcribed verbatim. A first analysis has been done manually to achieve a set of nodes and then in a second time using N Vivo Software 9. Most of the GPs break the news of cancer with or without pathology. They know the basics of patient-physician communication to promote the patient's expression. Some doctors have a positive experience and claim their role in this announcement. Their negative experience is linked to representations made about the disease and generated feeling. The results of this study show a need of training for physicians in order to acquire know-how and attitude at the time of cancer announcement.

Keywords: announcement; cancer; communication; experience; general practice; techniques.