***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: Active participation in the medical consultation has been demonstrated to benefit aspects of patients ’ subsequent psychological well-being . We investigated two interventions promoting patient question -asking behaviour . The first was a question prompt sheet provided before the consultation , which was endorsed and worked through by the clinician . The second was a face to face coaching session exploring the benefits of , and barriers to , question -asking , followed by coaching in question -asking behaviour employing rehearsal techniques .  Sixty patients with heterogeneous cancers , seeing two medical oncologists for the first time , were r and omly assigned to one of three groups : two intervention groups and one control group .  Sociodemographic variables and anxiety were assessed prior to the intervention which preceded the consultation . The consultations were audiotaped and subsequently analysed for question -asking behaviour . Anxiety was assessed again immediately following the consultation . Question naires to assess patient satisfaction , anxiety and psychological adjustment were sent by mail 2 weeks following the consultation . Presentation and discussion of the prompt sheet significantly increased the total number of questions asked and the number of questions asked regarding tests and treatment . Coaching did not add significantly to the effects of the prompt sheet . Psychological outcomes were not different among the groups . We conclude that a question prompt sheet addressed by the doctor is a simple , inexpensive and effective means of promoting patient question asking in the cancer consultation Patient participation in medical consultations has been demonstrated to benefit their subsequent psychological well being . Question asking is one way in which patients can be active . We investigated 2 means of promoting cancer patient  question asking . One was the provision of a question prompt sheet to patients prior to their initial consultation with their oncologist .  The second was the active endorsement and systematic review of the question prompt sheet by their oncologist . 318 patients with heterogeneous cancers , seeing one of 5 medical and 4 radiation oncologists for the first time , were r and omised to either receive or not receive a question prompt sheet . Doctors were r and omised to either proactively address or passively respond to the question prompt sheet in the subsequent consultation . Anxiety was assessed prior to the consultation . Consultations were audiotaped and content analysed . Anxiety was assessed again immediately following the consultation . Within the next 10 days patients completed question naires assessing information needs , anxiety and satisfaction and were given a structured telephone interview assessing information recall . Patients provided with a question prompt sheet asked more questions about prognosis compared with controls and oncologists gave significantly more prognostic information to these patients . Provision of the question prompt sheet prolonged consultations and increased patient anxiety ; however , when oncologists specifically addressed the prompt sheet , anxiety levels were significantly reduced , consultation duration was decreased and recall was significantly improved . A patient question prompt sheet , used proactively by the doctor , is a powerful addition to the oncology consultation . © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign BACKGROUND The aims of this study were to ( i ) conceptualize dimensions of a good death in Japanese cancer care , ( ii ) clarify the relative importance of each component of a good death and ( iii ) explore factors related to an individual 's perception of the domains of a good death . METHODS The general population was sample d using a stratified r and om sampling method ( n = 2548 ; response rate , 51 % ) and bereaved families from 12 certified palliative care units were surveyed as well ( n = 513 ; 70 % ) . We asked the subjects about the relative importance of 57 components of a good death . RESULTS Explanatory factor analysis demonstrated 18 domains contributing to a good death . Ten domains were classified as ' consistently important domains ' , including ' physical and psychological comfort ' , ' dying in a favorite place ' , ' good relationship with medical staff ' , ' maintaining hope and pleasure ' , ' not being a burden to others ' , ' good relationship with family ' , ' physical and cognitive control ' , ' environmental comfort ' , ' being respected as an individual ' and ' life completion ' . CONCLUSIONS We quantitatively identified 18 important domains that contribute to a good death in Japanese cancer care . The next step of our work should be to conduct a national survey to identify what is required to achieve a good death BACKGROUND Active participation and asking questions are important ways in which patients can ensure they underst and what the doctor has said . This study evaluated a question prompt sheet design ed to encourage patients to ask questions in the cancer consultation . PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients ( n = 142 ) were r and omised to receive ( i ) a question prompt sheet or ( ii ) a general sheet informing patients of services available through the regional Cancer Council . Recall of information was assessed in a structured interview 4 - 20 days after the consultation . Question naires to assess patient satisfaction and adjustment to cancer were sent by mail . RESULTS The question prompt sheet had a significant effect in one content area : prognosis . Thirty-five percent of patients who received the question h and out asked questions about prognosis compared to 16 % of those receiving the information h and out . The prompt sheet did not increase the mean number of questions asked overall . Age , in/out-patient status , gender and involvement preference were predictive of both number and duration of patient questions . CONCLUSIONS A question prompt sheet has a limited but important effect on patient question asking behaviour in the cancer consultation PURPOSE This study evaluated a cancer consultation preparation package ( CCPP ) design ed to facilitate patient involvement in the oncology consultation . PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 164 cancer patients ( 67 % response rate ) were r and omly assigned to receive the  CCPP  or a control booklet at least 48 hours before their first oncology appointment . The CCPP included a question prompt sheet , booklets on clinical decision making and patient rights , and an introduction to the clinic . The control booklet contained only the introduction to the clinic . Physicians were blinded to which intervention patients received . Patients completed question naires immediately after the consultation and 1 month later . Consultations were audiotaped , transcribed verbatim , and coded . RESULTS All but one patient read the information . Before the consultation , intervention patients were significantly more anxious than were controls ( mean , 42 v 38 ; P = .04 ) ; however anxiety was equivalent at follow-up . The CCPP was reported as being significantly more useful to family members than the control booklet ( P = .004 ) . Patients receiving the intervention asked significantly more questions ( 11 v seven questions ; P = .005 ) , tended to interrupt the physician more ( 1.01 v 0.71 interruptions ; P = .08 ) , and challenged information significantly more often ( twice v once ; P = .05 ) . Patients receiving the CCPP were less likely to achieve their preferred decision making style ( 22 % ) than were controls ( 35 % ; P = .06 ) . CONCLUSION This CCPP influences patients ' consultation behavior and does not increase anxiety in the long-term . However , this intervention , without physician endorsement , reduced the percentage of patients whose preferred involvement in decision making was achieved 
    Output:
    
The findings in this review suggest that patient preferences with regard to the communication of bad news by physicians consist of four components : setting , manner of communicating bad news , what and how much information is provided and emotional support , and that patients ' preferences are associated with demographic factors .
Younger patients , female patients and more highly educated patients consistently expressed a desire to receive as much detailed information as possible and to receive emotional support .
Asian patients were shown to prefer that relatives be present when receiving bad news more than Westerners do and to prefer to discuss their life expectancy less than Westerners .