TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kühne, Franziska
A1  - Fauth, Henriette
A1  - Destina Sevde, Ay-Bryson
A1  - Visser, Leonie N.C.
A1  - Weck, Florian
T1  - Communicating the diagnosis of cancer or depression: Results of a randomized controlled online study using video vignettes
JF  - Cancer Medicine
N2  - Background
Communicating a diagnosis is highly important, yet complex, especially in the context of cancer and mental disorders. The aim was to explore the communication style of an oncologist vs. psychotherapist in an online study.

Methods
Patients (N = 136: 65 cancer, 71 depression) were randomly assigned to watch a standardized video vignette with one of two communication styles (empathic vs. unempathic). Outcome measures of affectivity, information recall, communication skills, empathy and trust were applied.

Results
Regardless of diagnosis, empathic communication was associated with the perception of a significantly more empathic (p < 0.001, η2partial = 0.08) and trustworthy practitioner (p = 0.014, η2partial = 0.04) with better communication skills (p = 0.013, η2partial = 0.05). Cancer patients reported a larger decrease in positive affect (p < 0.001, η2partial = 0.15) and a larger increase in negative affect (p < 0.001, η2partial = 0.14) from pre- to post-video than depressive patients. Highly relevant information was recalled better in both groups (p < 0.001, d = 0.61–1.06). 

Conclusions
The results highlight the importance of empathy while communicating both a diagnosis of cancer and a mental disorder. Further research should focus on the communication of a mental disorder in association with cancer.
KW  - consultation
KW  - mental health
KW  - oncology
KW  - psycho-oncology
KW  - skills
Y1  - 2021
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.4396
SN  - 2045-7634
VL  - 10
SP  - 9012
EP  - 9021
PB  - Wiley
CY  - Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
ET  - 24
ER  -