Effect of Cancer Diagnosis and Suggestions for Diagnostic Communication in Patient Vision

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is classified as a chronic disease and has been growing in the world; therefore, the doctor needs, more and more, to prepare to attend cancer patients. Most of the bad news protocols are not performed through the patient’s lens. Objective: To know the effect of the diagnosis of cancer for the patient, and his suggestion about the way of communicating the diagnosis. Method: Qualitative study of narratives of oral histories, recorded and later transcribed, using the method of content analysis proposed by  Laurence Bardin. The sample consisted of 30 cancer patients aged 34 to 88 years in a private clinic in Salvador, Bahia. Results and Discussion: The categories were: acceptance (53%), shock/fright (33%), suffering (20%), fear (2%), rationalism (2%), patient was able to present one or more types of reactions. Selected categories on diagnostic communication: diagnosis by non-oncologist (53.3%), diagnosis by non-physician (30%), diagnosis by oncologist (16.6%), and subcategories were: adequate and inadequate. Pessimistic speech was considered an inadequate medical communication; while an appropriate physician-friendly posture. Conclusion: Acceptance of the disease and shock/fright were the most prevalent effects at diagnosis. Patients with mild to moderate symptoms were considered to be diagnosed. What it indicates in this study is that, perhaps, oncologists are more prepared to report bad news than other professionals. Taking into account the characteristics of the subject and giving information in a gentle manner, giving hope were the main suggestions of diagnostic communication by the patients.