Recordings of consultations are beneficial in the transition from curative to palliative cancer care: A pilot-study in patients with oesophageal or head and neck cancer

Uitdehaag, M.J.; Velden, L.A. van der; Boer, M.F. de; Spaander, M.C.W.; Steyerberg, E.W.; Kuipers, E.J.; Siersema, P.D.; Pruijn, J.F.A.

doi:doi:10.1016/j.ejon.2011.04.006

PURPOSE: There is reluctance in providing incurable cancer patients with recordings of their consultation. In this pilot-study, we explored the feasibility and utility of providing consultation recordings when patients are told a new diagnosis of non-curable cancer, and the impact of the recordings on quality of life and the openness to discuss cancer-related issues in the family. METHOD: Seventeen patients with a new diagnosis of incurable oesophageal or head and neck cancer were randomized to receive a CD (n = 10) or no CD (n = 7) of their consultation in which the diagnosis was told and the decision to provide only palliative care was discussed. Data were collected before consultation and 1 week and 1 month afterwards. After 1 month, patients allocated to the control group were offered to receiving the CD of their consultation as well. RESULTS: No major technical or procedural problems were encountered. Three-quarters of the patients appreciated receiving the CD, which was...Show morePURPOSE: There is reluctance in providing incurable cancer patients with recordings of their consultation. In this pilot-study, we explored the feasibility and utility of providing consultation recordings when patients are told a new diagnosis of non-curable cancer, and the impact of the recordings on quality of life and the openness to discuss cancer-related issues in the family. METHOD: Seventeen patients with a new diagnosis of incurable oesophageal or head and neck cancer were randomized to receive a CD (n = 10) or no CD (n = 7) of their consultation in which the diagnosis was told and the decision to provide only palliative care was discussed. Data were collected before consultation and 1 week and 1 month afterwards. After 1 month, patients allocated to the control group were offered to receiving the CD of their consultation as well. RESULTS: No major technical or procedural problems were encountered. Three-quarters of the patients appreciated receiving the CD, which was listened to by 8/10 patients and by 10/10 others in the CD group. After 1 month, two-thirds of the patients in the control group also asked to receive the CD. We found a trend towards a poorer quality of life but an improved openness to discuss cancer-related issues, in the CD group. CONCLUSION: The provision of a CD recording on the consultation in which the transition from a curative to a palliative care stage was communicated is feasible and was well-received by most cancer patients and their family. These findings require however verification in a study with a larger sample size.Show less

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Recordings of consultations are beneficial in the transition from curative to palliative cancer care: A pilot-study in patients with oesophageal or head and neck cancer