Cancer Patients Want Honesty, Compassion From Their Oncologist

CHICAGO, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- What do patients want from their
radiation oncologists? The most significant preference is that more than
one-third of female cancer patients (37 percent) prefer to have their hands
held by their radiation oncologists during important office visits, compared
to 12 percent of men, according to a randomized study presented November 4,
2009, at the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation
Oncology (ASTRO).

Another significant finding is that almost three-quarters of the patients (72
percent) preferred to be called by their first name, even among elderly
patients. There is a greater preference for this among females than males (76
percent to 66 percent), and white patients compared to blacks (74 percent to
56 percent). The study also shows that while 95 percent of all patients want
their oncologist to be honest with them about their chances of cure and
expected survival, there is a significantly increased preference for honesty
among prostate cancer patients versus lung cancer patients (97 to 91 percent).

"In oncology, a strong physician-patient relationship is essential because the
patient's interactions with their doctor can help the patient confidently make
life or death decisions, such as what cancer treatment is best for them," Ajay
Bhatnagar, M.D., lead author of the study, a radiation oncologist at Cancer
Treatment Services International in Casa Grande, Ariz., and Adjunct Assistant
Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer
Institute in Pittsburgh said. "Oncologists can use these results to provide
greater patient satisfaction for their patients, and therefore significantly
improve patient care."

The study sought to find out what cancer patients wanted from their
patient-doctor relationship and whether their physicians would be able to
change their behaviors to satisfy their patients' preferences if they had
knowledge of these preferences. The prospective randomized trial took place
between June 2006 and March 2008 and involved 508 patients, who underwent
radiation for breast, prostate or lung cancer. Patients answered a survey
about their preferences of their radiation oncologist, with a variety of
questions focusing on the patient-doctor relationship. The survey was given at
three time periods: prior to initial consultation, midpoint of radiation
treatment, and at completion of radiation therapy.

The patients were randomized into two groups, based on whether their
oncologist reviewed their initial patient preference survey responses
(experimental group) or did not (control group). At time of completion, the
patient also completed a satisfaction survey.

In addition to other findings, nearly three-quarters of all patients (70
percent) are neutral about their radiation oncologist wearing a white coat or
professional clothing. The study also shows that 95 percent of high school
graduates show a greater preference for having their radiation treatment
described in everyday language by their radiation oncologists, compared to 91
percent of college graduates and 84 percent of post-graduate patients.

For more information on radiation for cancer, visit www.rtanswers.org.

The abstract, "What Do Patients Want From Their Radiation Oncologist? Final
Results From A Prospective Randomized Trial," will be presented at a
scientific session at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4, 2009. To speak to
the lead author of the study, Ajay Bhatnagar, M.D., please call Beth Bukata or
Nicole Napoli November 1-4, 2009, in the ASTRO Press Room at McCormick Place
West at 312-791-7005 or 312-791-7006. You may also e-mail them at
bethb@astro.org or nicolen@astro.org.

SOURCE American Society for Radiation Oncology

Beth Bukata, bethb@astro.org, or Nicole Napoli, nicolen@astro.org,
+1-800-962-7876, Press Room Phone - Nov. 1-4, +1-312-791-7005,
+1-312-791-7006, After Hours, +1-703-474-0940