Core Functions of Communication in Pediatric Medicine: an Exploratory Analysis of Parent and Patient Narratives. J Cancer Educ 2020 Apr;35(2):256-263
Date
12/20/2018Pubmed ID
30565162Pubmed Central ID
PMC6581646DOI
10.1007/s13187-018-1458-xScopus ID
2-s2.0-85058932899 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 13 CitationsAbstract
Communication in pediatrics is important for psychological well-being and health outcomes. However, consensus is lacking regarding the core functions of communication in pediatrics. The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate whether and how core communication functions from adult oncology apply to communication in pediatric medicine and (2) to examine whether any unique core communication functions exist in pediatric medicine. We analyzed 36 narratives written by parents (n = 23) or former patients (n = 13) describing pediatric communication experiences with clinicians that were published in Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics. Utilizing deductive and inductive coding, we evaluated narratives for evidence of core communication functions previously documented in adult oncology. We also evaluated for novel functions not represented in adult oncology. We identified the presence of all adult core communication functions in pediatric narratives. We also found evidence of a novel function, "engendering solidarity and validation." We report clinician behaviors that appeared to facilitate or impair these core functions. Core communication functions in adult oncology apply to communication in pediatric medicine, but we also identified a novel communication function in pediatrics.
Author List
Sisk BA, Friedrich AB, Mozersky J, Walsh H, DuBois JAuthor
Annie B. Friedrich PhD Assistant Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
ChildCommunication
Decision Making
Emotions
Female
Humans
Male
Narration
Neoplasms
Parents
Pediatrics
Self Care
