Communicating the Financial Burden of Treatment With Patients

As data mount showing that patients with cancer often experience financial burden related to their care,1-4 there is a growing need to foster appropriate patient-clinician communication about the costs of cancer care.5-16 Research has shown that oncologists frequently feel uncomfortable and poorly equipped to discuss costs with their patients.17,18 As a result, oncology clinicians often do not ask about their patients’ financial concerns.18-20 However, the majority of oncologists acknowledge the importance of discussing the financial impact of care with patients.18 Importantly, published recommendations from ASCO and others encourage patient-clinician discussion about the costs of cancer care.21,22 Notably, patient-clinician discussion about the costs of cancer care has the potential to improve care delivery and outcomes for patients by fostering informed decision-making. Although the financial costs of cancer care represent just one factor in the decision-making process, data suggest that patients would appreciate the opportunity to engage in financial discussions with their oncology team.19,23,24 In addition, patients often prefer that their clinician initiate cost discussions with them rather than initiating the conversation themselves.25 THE CLINICIAN'S PERSPECTIVE ON DISCUSSING COSTS WITH PATIENTS Section: ChooseTop of pageAbstractTHE CLINICIAN'S PERSPECTI... <