Beyond the Scalpel: Addressing Communication and Distress in ENT Cancer
<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Effective communication in oncology is crucial, but challenging due to the complex information and emotional burden associated with a cancer diagnosis. This cross-sectional study investigated the communication preferences of 155 Romanian adults diagnosed...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Medicina |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/1/69 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832588033364328448 |
|---|---|
| author | Bogdan Hirtie Norberth-Istvan Varga Andrada Oprisoni Sonia Tanasescu Estera Boeriu Virgiliu Bogdan Sorop Octavia Harich Adrian Vasile Bota Delia Ioana Horhat |
| author_facet | Bogdan Hirtie Norberth-Istvan Varga Andrada Oprisoni Sonia Tanasescu Estera Boeriu Virgiliu Bogdan Sorop Octavia Harich Adrian Vasile Bota Delia Ioana Horhat |
| author_sort | Bogdan Hirtie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Background and Objectives</i>: Effective communication in oncology is crucial, but challenging due to the complex information and emotional burden associated with a cancer diagnosis. This cross-sectional study investigated the communication preferences of 155 Romanian adults diagnosed with ENT cancers and explored the relationship between these preferences, their levels of psychological distress, and sociodemographic factors. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: Participants completed the KOPRA questionnaire, assessing communication preferences, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to measure psychological distress. <i>Results</i>: The results revealed that patients strongly prioritized active involvement in their care (Patient Participation and Patient Orientation—PPO) and open communication with healthcare providers (Effective and Open Communication—EOC). While emotional support was valued, it was considered less critical than PPO and EOC. Notably, communication about personal matters was deemed the least important aspect of communication. A high prevalence of psychological distress was observed, particularly among widowed individuals and females. No direct correlation was found between communication preferences and distress. <i>Conclusions</i>: These findings underscore the importance of shared decision-making, clear information exchange, and a patient-centered approach in the context of ENT cancer care, while also highlighting the need for routine screening and appropriate support for psychological well-being in this patient population. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f826372c12cf4f07be5562344421adea |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj-art-f826372c12cf4f07be5562344421adea2025-01-24T13:40:27ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-01-016116910.3390/medicina61010069Beyond the Scalpel: Addressing Communication and Distress in ENT CancerBogdan Hirtie0Norberth-Istvan Varga1Andrada Oprisoni2Sonia Tanasescu3Estera Boeriu4Virgiliu Bogdan Sorop5Octavia Harich6Adrian Vasile Bota7Delia Ioana Horhat8Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDoctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Pediatrics, Discipline of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Pediatrics, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Pediatrics, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaDepartment of Functional Sciences, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, RomaniaMultidisciplinary Doctoral School, “Vasile Goldis” Western University, 310419 Arad, RomaniaDepartment of ENT, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Effective communication in oncology is crucial, but challenging due to the complex information and emotional burden associated with a cancer diagnosis. This cross-sectional study investigated the communication preferences of 155 Romanian adults diagnosed with ENT cancers and explored the relationship between these preferences, their levels of psychological distress, and sociodemographic factors. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: Participants completed the KOPRA questionnaire, assessing communication preferences, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to measure psychological distress. <i>Results</i>: The results revealed that patients strongly prioritized active involvement in their care (Patient Participation and Patient Orientation—PPO) and open communication with healthcare providers (Effective and Open Communication—EOC). While emotional support was valued, it was considered less critical than PPO and EOC. Notably, communication about personal matters was deemed the least important aspect of communication. A high prevalence of psychological distress was observed, particularly among widowed individuals and females. No direct correlation was found between communication preferences and distress. <i>Conclusions</i>: These findings underscore the importance of shared decision-making, clear information exchange, and a patient-centered approach in the context of ENT cancer care, while also highlighting the need for routine screening and appropriate support for psychological well-being in this patient population.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/1/69communication preferencesquestionnaireENT cancerpsychological distressKOPRAHADS |
| spellingShingle | Bogdan Hirtie Norberth-Istvan Varga Andrada Oprisoni Sonia Tanasescu Estera Boeriu Virgiliu Bogdan Sorop Octavia Harich Adrian Vasile Bota Delia Ioana Horhat Beyond the Scalpel: Addressing Communication and Distress in ENT Cancer Medicina communication preferences questionnaire ENT cancer psychological distress KOPRA HADS |
| title | Beyond the Scalpel: Addressing Communication and Distress in ENT Cancer |
| title_full | Beyond the Scalpel: Addressing Communication and Distress in ENT Cancer |
| title_fullStr | Beyond the Scalpel: Addressing Communication and Distress in ENT Cancer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond the Scalpel: Addressing Communication and Distress in ENT Cancer |
| title_short | Beyond the Scalpel: Addressing Communication and Distress in ENT Cancer |
| title_sort | beyond the scalpel addressing communication and distress in ent cancer |
| topic | communication preferences questionnaire ENT cancer psychological distress KOPRA HADS |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/1/69 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT bogdanhirtie beyondthescalpeladdressingcommunicationanddistressinentcancer AT norberthistvanvarga beyondthescalpeladdressingcommunicationanddistressinentcancer AT andradaoprisoni beyondthescalpeladdressingcommunicationanddistressinentcancer AT soniatanasescu beyondthescalpeladdressingcommunicationanddistressinentcancer AT esteraboeriu beyondthescalpeladdressingcommunicationanddistressinentcancer AT virgiliubogdansorop beyondthescalpeladdressingcommunicationanddistressinentcancer AT octaviaharich beyondthescalpeladdressingcommunicationanddistressinentcancer AT adrianvasilebota beyondthescalpeladdressingcommunicationanddistressinentcancer AT deliaioanahorhat beyondthescalpeladdressingcommunicationanddistressinentcancer |