2021/12/12 by Marij A. Hillen, Ellen M. A. Smets, Ellen M.A. Smets +4
Health Professions · Medicine · #Cancer survivorship and care #Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues #Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare
paper · pdf · doi:10.1080/08870446.2021.2011282
openalex publication_date 2021/12/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
OBJECTIVE: Cancer patients may seek a second opinion (SO) driven by reduced trust in their own providers. Their trust may be diminished or reinforced through the SO. This study aimed to assess (1) what proportion of patients seek SOs motivated by lacking trust and how trust changes over time; (2) whether patients' trust differs by the outcome of the SO (i.e. similar/different opinion); and (3) how communication during the SO affects trust. DESIGN: ). SO consultations (N = 62) were audio recorded, and patient-oncologist communication about the referring oncologist was coded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient-reported motives and their trust in referring oncologists. RESULTS: Reduced trust motivated 21% of patients to seek a SO. Most patients criticised their referring oncologist. Consulting oncologists generally defended their colleagues, but such affirmation was unrelated to patients' subsequent trust. Over time, trust did not change substantially. Yet, it was restored in patients motivated by impaired trust, and remained low for patients receiving a different medical outcome. CONCLUSION: Patients need support to more constructively discuss their treatment relationship. Oncologists need support in providing independent SOs without harming trust relations.