When we started exploring patients’ communication preferences, we considered various study designs. We decided to use qualitative designs with multi-stakeholder viewpoints comparing and contrasting what patients, family members, and professionals felt about the specific communication issues. Over the years this has given us a well-rounded view. We were privileged to gain an understanding of the usual communication methods used by clinicians and documented that in some of our work. These have been seldom commented upon as most communication research is based in high-income countries. The LMICs (low-and-middle-income countries) often have the least density of healthcare resources alongside the high patient loads. Communication challenges are very real in these settings. However, with increased globalization, and better patient awareness, more patient participation in treatment decision-making, clinicians must imbibe an open communication culture irrespective of the setting they are working.
Research on Communication Skills (with adult patients)
Datta SS, Tripathi L, Varghese R, Logan J, Gessler S, Chatterjee S, et al. Pivotal role of families in doctor-patient communication in oncology: a qualitative study of patients, their relatives and cancer clinicians. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). 2017 Sep;26(5). Available from here
Research on Communication Skills (with children)
Chaudhuri T, Nandakumar D, Datta SS, Husain Z, Sukumaran RK, Yadav IS, et al. Information-sharing experiences of professionals looking after children with cancer: a qualitative exploration from a specialist paediatric oncology unit in India. Ecancermedicalscience. 2022;16:1399. Available from here
Datta SS & Chattopadhyay S. Communicating with a Child who is Terminally ill – I A P C. 2021. Available from here
Datta SS. Children with cancer: Are we healing the body & missing the mind? IndianJournal of Medical Research; 158(4):p 327-329, October 2023. Available from here
Datta SS, Cardona L, Mahanta P, Younus S, Lax-Pericall MT. Pediatric psycho-oncology [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2023 Oct 9]. Available from here
Datta SS, Mukherjee A. “My cancer is cured, but I do not feel normal”: A commentary on neuropsychological outcomes of pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia in India. Vol. 4, Cancer Research, Statistics, and Treatment. Medknow; 2021 p. 119–20. Available from here
Datta SS, Saha T, Ojha A, Das A, Daruvala R, Reghu KS, et al. What do you need to learn in paediatric psycho-oncology? Ecancermedicalscience. 2019;13:916. Available from here