Preferences for communication about prognosis among children with cancer, parents, and oncologists

Preferences for communication about prognosis among children with cancer, parents, and oncologists
JAMA Network Open; by Caroline Christianson, Calliope Reeves, Harmony Farner, Shoshana Mehler, Tara M. Brinkman, Justin N. Baker, Pamela Hinds, Jennifer W. Mack, Erica C. Kaye; 4/25
Should oncologists elicit communication preferences from patients with pediatric cancer and their parents before disclosing prognosis? In this study, patients, parents, and oncologists recommended preemptive elicitation of communication preferences with the goal of improving alignment of prognostic disclosure with patient and caregiver communication needs, thereby enhancing quality of care. These findings demonstrate that patients and caregivers are open to discussing prognostic communication preferences, and that oncologists also recognize the potential value in this communication approach, even as they rarely engage in it.