Nancy K. Janz|Yun Li|Brian J. Zikmund?Fisher|Reshma Jagsi|Allison W. Kurian|Lawrence C. An|M. Chandler McLeod|Kamaria L. Lee|Steven J. Katz|Sarah T. Hawley
The impact of doctor–patient communication on patients’ perceptions of their risk of breast cancer recurrence
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|Stanford University|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor|VA Center for Clinical Management Research|University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
doctorpatient communication primary way women diagnosed breast cancer learn risk distant recurrence yet little known doctors approach discussionsa weighted random sample newly diagnosed earlystage breast cancer patients identified seer registries los angeles georgia 20132015 sent surveys 2 months surgery phase 2 n 3930 rr 68 assessed patient perceptions doctor communication risk recurrence ie amount approach inquiry worry clinically determined 10year risk distant recurrence established low intermediate invasive cancer patients womens perceived risk distant recurrence 0100 categorized subgroups overestimation reasonably accurate zero risk understanding risk patient factors eg health literacy numeracy anxietyworry physician communication outcomes evaluated multivariable regression models analytic sample substudy 1295about 33 women reported doctors discussed risk recurrence quite bit lot 14 said half women reported doctors used words numbers describe risk 24 used words overestimators 50 ci 031081 perceived zero risk 46 ci 029072 often said doctor discuss risk patients low numeracy reported less discussion 60 reported doctor almost never inquired worryeffective doctorpatient communication critical patient understanding risk recurrence efforts enhance physicians ability engage individualized communication around risk needed