Patterns of interactions among patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, their caregivers, and healthcare providers during symptom discussions
Journal
Supportive Care in Cancer
Journal Volume
26
Journal Issue
10
Pages
3497-3506
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Abstract
Purpose: Effective symptom discussion is an essential step to enhance symptom management in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). However, little is known about how these patients communicate their symptoms during health encounters. The purpose of this study was to develop a typology to describe patterns of interactions between patients with APC, their caregivers, and healthcare providers as regards to symptoms and symptom management. Methods: Thematic analysis was used to analyze 37 transcripts of audio-recorded, naturally occurring encounters among APC patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Transcripts were drawn from the Values and Options in Cancer Care study, a larger randomized controlled communication and decision-making intervention trial, which recruited advanced cancer patients and caregivers across the USA. All transcripts from APC patients that were pre-intervention were analyzed. Results: Eight unique types of interaction patterns among patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers were identified as follows: collaborative interactions, explanatory interactions, agentic interactions, checklist interactions, cross-purpose interactions, empathic interactions, admonishing interactions, and diverging interactions. Conclusions: Our findings provide a systematic description of a variety of types of interaction patterns regarding symptom discussion among APC patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. These typologies can be used to facilitate effective communication and symptom management. ? 2018, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
Subjects
Advanced pancreatic cancer; Cancer care; Communication; Symptoms; Thematic analysis
Other Subjects
advanced cancer; Article; caregiver; clinical article; decision making; empathy; health care personnel; human; interpersonal communication; pancreas cancer; priority journal; symptom; thematic analysis; United States; adult; aged; clinical trial; controlled study; disease exacerbation; female; human relation; interpersonal communication; male; middle aged; multicenter study; palliative therapy; pancreas tumor; pathology; professional-patient relationship; psychology; randomized controlled trial; Adult; Aged; Caregivers; Communication; Decision Making; Disease Progression; Empathy; Female; Health Personnel; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Middle Aged; Palliative Care; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Professional-Patient Relations
Type
journal article