Do Chinese/Chinese-American patients prefer indirect communication methods?

Abstract

e24195 Background: Cancer care requires high quality, patient-centered communication. Existing studies of communication preferences of Chinese/Chinese-American pts suggested that they prefer an indirect approach to bad news. We administered the Measure of Patient Preferences (MPP) to pts at our cancer center, many of whom identify as Chinese or Chinese-American. The MPP is a survey comprised of 46 communication-related statements patients (pts) rate on the Likert scale centered on bad news delivery, published by Parker et al in 2001. Methods: The MPP was used with the original author’s permission. Pts were approached in private settings after screening through the EMR. All survey items, including demographic data, were optional. Pts self-identified as Chinese. Forms were available in English, simplified and traditional Chinese. Pts could complete the survey on paper, online, or return by mail. The first statistical analysis found means and medians of data to discover highest and lowest rated communication aspects. Results: Among 185 pts, 52% were women. 9% identified as Chinese (10% total Asian), 73% were white, 17% were black, Latino, other or did not provide data. 29% had a high school education or less, 28% had attended some college, 38% had a college education or higher (data missing for 5%). 57% of pts were older than 65. Malignancies included 18% hematologic, 16% ENT, 13% gynecologic, 10% lymphomas, 9% breast, 8% lung (the rest were comprised of GU, GI, skin, other, and pts who did not provide data). The top rated measures, including some of “directness,” are listed below. Scale was as follows: 1. Not important; 2. Optional; 3. Important; 4. Very important; 5. Essential. The lowest rated measures were “The doctor holding my hand or touching my arm while telling me the news” (2.22 all, 2.5 Chinese) and “My doctor helps me figure out how to tell my family and friends about the cancer” (2.82 all, 3.17 Chinese). Conclusions: Pts placed high value on having doctors tell them the best treatment and having their questions answered. The “directness” preferences between all versus Chinese pts were numerically very similar, challenging existing knowledge. Further analysis and studies are needed.[Table: see text]