Tf. Hack et al., Feasibility of an audiotape intervention for patients with cancer: A multicenter, randomized, controlled pilot study, J PSYCH ONC, 17(2), 1999, pp. 1-15
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.