Intended and unintended consequences: Ethics, communication, and prognostic disclosure in pediatric oncology.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The majority of patients desire all available prognostic information, but some physicians hesitate to discuss prognosis. The objective of the current study was to examine outcomes of prognostic disclosure among the parents of children with cancer.

Methods

The authors surveyed 353 parents of children with newly diagnosed cancer at 2 tertiary cancer centers, and each child's oncologist. Using multivariable logistic regression, the authors assessed associations between parental report of elements of prognosis discussions with the oncologist (quality of information/communication and prognostic disclosure) and potential consequences of these discussions (trust, hope, peace of mind, prognostic understanding, depression, and anxiety). Analyses were stratified by oncologi

SUBMITTER: Marron JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5839950 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature