The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Framework for patient-centered communication (PCC) in Cancer Care highlights the potential of PCC to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but to date, few studies have empirically examined associations between PCC and HRQoL in patients with ovarian cancer. To address this, researchers assessed associations between perceived PCC and HRQoL in patients with ovarian cancer, with 176 participants completing a survey.
In multivariable analyses, the study team found that older age, working (vs not working), no current treatment (vs any current treatment), and greater perceived PCC were associated with better overall HRQoL. They also found that: Working and no current treatment were associated with better physical well-being; older age, not being cared for by a gynecologic oncologist (vs being cared for by a gynecologic oncologist), and greater perceived PCC were associated with better social and family well-being; older age, being recruited online (vs in clinic), and greater perceived PCC were associated with better emotional well-being; and older age, working, rural residence (vs not), no current treatment, and greater perceived PCC were associated with better functional well-being.
