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Determinants of trust in the patient–oncologist relationship

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 October 2007

Nagashree Seetharamu ,
Uzma Iqbal  and
Joseph S. Weiner
Nagashree Seetharamu*
Affiliation:
New York University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
Uzma Iqbal
Affiliation:
Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York, USA Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
Joseph S. Weiner
Affiliation:
Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York, USA Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
*
Corresponding author: Joseph S. Weiner, North Shore University Hospital/Manhasset, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA. E-mail: weiner@lij.edu
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Abstract

Objective:

The relationship between the patient and physician is at the heart of good medical care, and trust is an essential component of this relationship. To enable the oncologist to better form a trusting relationship with the patient, this article describes four factors that influence patient trust.

Methods:

Thematic literature review and a clinical vignette.

Results:

The authors discuss four factors that influence patient trust. These factors are whether and how the oncologist (1) minimizes the potential for shame and humiliation during the medical encounter, (2) manages the power imbalance between doctor and patient without abuse or misuse, (3) demonstrates to the patient an appreciation of how he or she is suffering from experience of cancer, and (4) demonstrates to the patient how he or she is suffering from the treatment provided by the oncologist. The authors illustrate these factors with a clinical vignette.

Significance of results:

The cancer patient is best cared for by an oncologist who can not only understand disease and treat medical problems, but also accompany the patient through the illness experience. This requires an appreciation of the challenges to trust that are inherent in the special characteristics of the patient–physician interaction.

Keywords

TrustPhysician–patient relationshipCommunicationSufferingOncology
Type
Review Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 5 , Issue 4 , December 2007 , pp. 405 - 409
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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