OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of physicians' supportive communication on analogue patients' (APs) heart rate variability (HRV) and recall, while watching a video of palliative treatment being explained to a female patient. METHODS: Sixty healthy women, acting as APs, were randomly assigned to watch one of two versions (standard vs. affective) of a scripted video-vignette of a bad news consultation to a female patient. The physician's communication differed only in the delivery of four supportive comments. Empathy, support and engagement perception were assessed by three questions. APs' HR was recorded during video-observation and recall was assessed immediately after. HRV was determined through measures defined in time and frequency domains. RESULTS: Data of 54 APs (27 + 27) were included. The group with supportive communication perceived the physician as more empathic and supportive. Intra- and Inter-group comparisons suggested a greater sense of stress in the standard communication group. Recall did not differ in the two groups. CONCLUSION AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Findings show that the use of supportive expressions contribute to the perception of the physician as more empathic, potentially buffer patients' arousal after a bad news announcement, but does not confirm a positive impact on general recall.

Affective communication during bad news consultation. Effect on analogue patients' heart rate variability and recall

Danzi, Olivia Purnima;Perlini, Cinzia;Tedeschi, Federico;Del Piccolo, Lidia
2018-01-01

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of physicians' supportive communication on analogue patients' (APs) heart rate variability (HRV) and recall, while watching a video of palliative treatment being explained to a female patient. METHODS: Sixty healthy women, acting as APs, were randomly assigned to watch one of two versions (standard vs. affective) of a scripted video-vignette of a bad news consultation to a female patient. The physician's communication differed only in the delivery of four supportive comments. Empathy, support and engagement perception were assessed by three questions. APs' HR was recorded during video-observation and recall was assessed immediately after. HRV was determined through measures defined in time and frequency domains. RESULTS: Data of 54 APs (27 + 27) were included. The group with supportive communication perceived the physician as more empathic and supportive. Intra- and Inter-group comparisons suggested a greater sense of stress in the standard communication group. Recall did not differ in the two groups. CONCLUSION AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Findings show that the use of supportive expressions contribute to the perception of the physician as more empathic, potentially buffer patients' arousal after a bad news announcement, but does not confirm a positive impact on general recall.
2018
Analogue patients; Bad news communication; Cancer; Communication; Empathy; Heart rate variability
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11562/983145
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