Feasibility of an audiotape intervention for patients with cancer: A multicenter, randomized, controlled pilot study

Empirical evidence supports the conclusion that audiotapes of patient-oncol ogist consultations are well received by the majority of cancer patients. P atients who have received these audiotapes report reduced psychological dis tress and improved satisfaction. A pilot study evaluated the impact of givi ng patients a choice of receiving an audiotape of their primary treatment c onsultation. The participants in the multicentered, randomized, controlled study were 36 patients with breast or prostate cancer. Measures of decision al role preference, anxiety, satisfaction, recall of information, and perce ptions of oncologists' likability and expertise were administered before an d after the consultation and six weeks later. At follow-up, recall of infor mation was significantly greater among patients who chose to receive the au diotape. Furthermore, the patients who, at follow-up, recalled the most inf ormation had the highest degree of satisfaction with patient-physician comm unication. The results suggested that the intervention is a practical, effe ctive, and inexpensive means of enhancing patient-physician communication, facilitating recall of information, and fostering patient satisfaction.