February 2022 Communication Tip

Empathy and Clear Information Buffers Fear

These are hard and scary times.  COVID-19 has made the already difficult experience of cancer even more difficult and worrisome.  And while some fear and anxiety likely are inevitable for many, research suggests that clinician communication can mediate this distress. 

In a paper out of Italy entitled “From Fear to Hopelessness:  The Buffering Effect of Patient-Centered Communication in a Sample of Oncological Patients during COVID-19” [Rossi et al, Behav. Sci. 2021, 11, 87], the authors demonstrate in a sample of 90 cancer patients that fear of COVID-19 is associated with increased hopelessness about cancer.  However, empathetic and clear clinician–patient communication buffered this adverse effect.   Gender did not have an impact on the findings.

Empathy and Clear Language-- two of the most basic Communication Skills discussed in this column.  In the Italian study, the researchers asked patients about the clinicians’ empathy including the evaluation of the clinician as “warm,” “empathetic, or “reassuring.”  Assessment of the clarity of information was based on the clinicians being “precise,” “explicit,” and “clear.”

We know that patients with cancer want their clinicians to take their emotions into account when discussing sensitive information.  Empathic language increases patient satisfaction and trust with their oncologist.  Use of jargon increases patient anxiety, while clarity of communication improves patient anxiety, sleep, hope, and satisfaction.

So, here again, with COVID-19 fear among patients with cancer specifically, simply being clear and caring helps.

Best,

Mike