Linking patient-centered communication with cancer information avoidance: The mediating roles of patient trust and literacy

Objectives: This study, drawing on the pathway mediation model developed by Street and his colleagues (2009) that links communication to health outcomes, explores how patient-centered communication affects cancer information avoidance. Methods: Data was gathered through online access panel surveys, utilizing stratified sampling across Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Austria. The final sample included 4910 non-cancer and 414 cancer patients, all receiving healthcare from clinicians within the past year. Results: The results demonstrated that patient-centered communication is directly associated with reduced cancer information avoidance, especially among cancer patients. Additionally, this association is indirectly mediated through patient trust and healthcare literacy. Conclusion: The findings provide empirical evidence that reveals the underlying mechanism linking clinician-patient communication to patient health information behavior. Practice implications: The potential of clinician-patient communication in addressing health information avoidance is highlighted by these findings. Future interventions in healthcare settings should consider adopting patient-centered communication strategies. Additionally, improving patient trust and literacy levels could be effective in reducing cancer information avoidance.