Receiving the Diagnosis of Lung Cancer: Patient Recall of Information and Satisfaction With Physician Communication

PURPOSE: Little is known about the information newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer recall and how satisfied they are with physicians' communication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-one consecutive patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer were surveyed 1 to 3 days after the disclosure of diagnosis. Patients' recall of the given information was assessed, as well as their satisfaction with physicians' communication of diagnosis, treatment procedure, and goal of treatment as curative or palliative. Physicians who provided diagnosis were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning what information they had given to the patient. Congruence between physician information and patient recall of that information was then evaluated. RESULTS: Ninety percent (62 of 69 patients) correctly recalled their physician's information about the diagnosis, 83% (55 of 66 patients) knew what treatment procedure their physicians proposed, and 49% (32 of 65 patients) accurately recalled information about the goal of treatment. Seventy-six and 73% of patients were highly satisfied with their physician's communication of diagnosis and treatment procedure, respectively. Only 39% were highly satisfied with communication of the treatment goal. Patients who correctly recalled information regarding the treatment procedure were significantly more satisfied with its communication. CONCLUSION: Recall of information about the intent of treatment is poor, and satisfaction with communication of the intent of treatment is lacking among newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer. Future studies should address whether specific interventions can improve these deficiencies.