https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1784-750X
Abstract
Purpose
Managing radiotherapy (RT)-induced pain is essential for reducing the likelihood of treatment interruption and improving the chance of tumor control. The current study aimed to examine the role of radiation therapist (RTTs) interaction and effective information communication in modulating patients’ experiences of pain and discomfort during RT.
Methods
Participants were 91 cancer patients undergoing RT for the first time referred to the Radiotherapy Unit of Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital in Bologna, Italy. Patient-reported outcome measures included patient satisfaction with the quality of the relationship and the information received by the RTTs, assessed by the Communication with RTTs — Shortened, scale, and pain and discomfort experienced during RT, assessed through two VAS scales. Attitudes toward RT were also assessed. All measures were collected as patients were approximately halfway through the overall RT duration (on average at the end of the 12th session).
Results
Patient satisfaction with RTT relationships and treatment-information communication was significantly related to RT-induced pain intensity and patient attitudes toward RT. The more satisfied patients were with RTT interactions and communication, the more positive their attitudes were toward RT and the lower the pain intensity experienced during treatment.
Conclusion
Clinical implications can be drawn in terms of highlighting the need for RTTs to be mindful of their technical and supportive role in delivery of patient care and in structuring treatment information content in a way that contrasts potential nocebo effects related to patients' negative expectations about RT. The findings support the idea that RTTs may benefit from training interventions and structured education sessions with a focus on interpersonal skills and patient-centered communication.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to thank the patients participating in the study for their precious contribution, as well as the radiotherapists of the Radiotherapy Unit of Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital (Professor Morganti) for their invaluable collaboration and support.
Disclosure
Professor Alessio Morganti reports financial support from Elekta and Beyer outside the submitted work. The other authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.