Linking patient-centered communication with cancer information avoidance: The mediating roles of patient trust and literacy

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study, drawing on the pathway mediation model developed by Street and his colleagues (2009) that links communication to health outcomes, explores how patient-centered communication affects cancer information avoidance. MethodsData was gathered through online access panel surveys, utilizing stratified sampling across Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Austria. The final sample included 4910 non-cancer and 414 cancer patients, all receiving healthcare from clinicians within the past year. ResultsThe results demonstrated that patient-centered communication is directly associated with reduced cancer information avoidance, especially among cancer patients. Additionally, this association is indirectly mediated through patient trust and healthcare literacy. ConclusionThe findings provide empirical evidence that reveals the underlying mechanism linking clinician-patient communication to patient health information behavior. Practice implicationsThe potential of clinician-patient communication in addressing health information avoidance is highlighted by these findings. Future interventions in healthcare settings should consider adopting patient-centered communication strategies. Additionally, improving patient trust and literacy levels could be effective in reducing cancer information avoidance.