Communicating with Emotional Patients: Thoughts, Skills, and Influencing Factors for Ontario Radiation Therapists

Abstract

PurposePatients receiving radiation therapy are subject to high anxiety levels. Radiation Therapists (RTs) are uniquely positioned to support patients as they progress through treatment, but little is known about therapists' ability to perform this important task. This research was designed to describe RTs' ability to communicate with cancer patients during emotional interactions and to determine what intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence that ability. MethodsSingle-centre focus groups were used to develop themes for a questionnaire. That questionnaire was then distributed throughout 13 Ontario cancer centres. Themes evaluated included intrinsic factors (demographics, value, and so forth) and extrinsic factors (work environment, resources, and so forth). A validated clinical vignette was used to evaluate actual respondent communication skill and a validated scale reported various aspects of emotional intelligence. ResultsOne hundred ninety-nine responses were received from 13 cancer centres distributed across Ontario. Response rate was low (31%), but wave analysis indicated a lack of nonresponse bias. Based on the clinical vignette, RTs showed a high degree of skill when communicating with emotional patients, reporting minimal use of blocking or controlling behaviours. Factors shown to significantly influence the ability to communicate with emotional patients included personal sociability and years of experience, organizational provision of time, private space, and support (P < .05). ConclusionsRT respondents were particularly skilled at communicating with emotional patients. That skill level was significantly influenced by both personal and organizational factors. The most important of these were experience and time. These findings are consistent with the literature for other professions and are likely generalizable throughout Canada and similar international practice environments.