Quality of Communication Process between Cancer Patients and Doctors

Abstract

Background: Communication between cancer patients and healthcare providers plays a vital role towards providing quality of life for cancer patients. However, it remains as a debatable issue in the society. This study discovered that the communication in cancer care are affected by socio-demographic characteristics of cancer patients. Objectives: To determine the quality of communication (QOC) between cancer patients and doctors, and its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at a teaching hospital, with 600 cancer patients in the oncology clinic and admited to oncology ward as participants. Results: The mean score for the overall doctor’s QOC was 8.23 ± 0.74. This indicated that the level of Doctor Communication was close to very good communication. The following factors contribute remarkably on the scores of quality of communication with doctors; aged 71 years old and above (β = 6.27, p<0.001), secondary school qualification holder (β = 1.99, p<0.001.), diploma and degree holder (β =4.14, p<0.001. ), government sector employees (β = 14.85 p<0.001.), private sector, factory or estate employees, and self-employed (β = 10.31 p<0.001), had been diagnosed for over a year (β = 7.07, p<0.001), no monthly income (β = 12.25, p<0.001), and do not stay with family (β = 2.51, p<0.003). Conclusions: Study found that socio-demographic factors including age, level of education,employment status, working sector, illness duration and income of cancer patients can affect the communication, and most of the time, negatively. This issue should be taken seriously for the improvement of the care of cancer patients.