The relationship between psychosocial factors in the patient–oncologist relationship and quality of care: A study of breast cancer patients

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationship between psychosocial factors in the patient–oncologist relationship and aspects of care among women with breast cancer. Breast cancer patients (N = 118) completed a questionnaire about their relationship with their oncologist, their treatment, and their health. While trust was related to several positive outcomes, physician supportiveness was most strongly related to satisfaction with care, and health care access was most strongly associated with general health. The results suggest that the addition of supportiveness and healthcare access to trust provide a more complete picture of patients' health outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• breast cancer
• cancer care
• patient–oncologist relationship
• quality of care
• trust

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Michelle Fusaro and the Staten Island Branch of the American Cancer Society, Dr. Frank Tomao and his office staff, Randy Hight of the Sid Jacobson JCC, and Carolyn Charkey and the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization for their help recruiting participants. We would also like to acknowledge the help of Drs. Emanuela Taioli, Tracey E. Wilson, Stanislav V. Kasl, Rachel C. Shelton, and S. V. Subramanian for their feedback on this manuscript.