Table 2:

Participant recommendations for improved patient-provider communication

Communication during the initial breast cancer diagnosis

• Communicate serious news in face-to-face settings.

• Assess each patient’s capacity for information immediately after diagnosis. Post-diagnosis mental distress (e.g., anxiety, fear) can decrease comprehension.

• Implement a breast cancer diagnosis checklist   ✓ Have I scheduled a face-to-face office visit with my patient to deliver serious news?   ✓ Is my patient emotionally supported by a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or patient advocate?   ✓ Do I have information materials adapted to meet a diverse patient population (e.g., low literacy, low health literacy, multiple languages, large print)?   ✓ Have I communicated the diagnosis honestly?   ✓ Have I allotted sufficient time for patient questions?   ✓ Does my tone communicate empathy and respect for the distressing nature of a breast cancer diagnosis?   ✓ Have I elicited patient questions or concerns and checked for information comprehension?

Communication about adjuvant treatment

• Provide detailed information about a patient’s individualized treatment regimen as soon as possible (e.g., adjuvant treatment length of time, medication side effects)

• Provide lifestyle maintenance information (e.g., physical activity recommendations, approved complementary and alternative treatment options).

General recommendations

• Communicate directly & honestly with your patients about their health condition.

• Create an opportunity during each clinic visit for patient-initiated questions.

• Elicit concerns from patients, so they will ask questions and seek clarification about their diagnosis and treatment.

• Encourage and support family involvement and participation when delivering serious news or providing treatment-related information.

• Ask patients if they would like to have religious/spiritual resources in the room.

• Routinely initiate discussions about patient sexual and mental health. Help your patients overcome discomfort, embarrassment or shame discussing sexual and mental health challenges.

• Create an environment of shared decision-making and shared control.