Uncovering clinicians' inquiry-based and impression-based efforts to tailor information in oncology consultations A focus group study

Tailoring of health-related information is recommended to address cancer patients' diverse information needs and abilities to understand and process information. While tailored information can improve patients' satisfaction, recall of information and emotional wellbeing, little is known about how oncology clinicians tailor information during consultations. This study examined Dutch oncology clinicians' perceptions and experiences with tailoring of information to individual cancer patients' information needs and cognitive abilities during clinical consultations. Focus group and dyadic interviews were conducted involving 25 clinicians (physicians and clinical nurse specialists). Results show that clinicians interpret information tailoring as a multifaceted act: it occurs in dialogue, involves clinicians and patients, and includes assessing and adjusting of information. Furthermore, two pathways to tailor information emerged: 1) tailoring based on inquiry, which refers to adjusting information based on patients' stated needs and cognitive abilities (e.g., providing requested information), and 2) tailoring based on impressions, referring to the adjusting of information based on assumptions about patient characteristics and behavior (e.g., streamlining information for emotional patients). Last, clinicians mentioned contextual and interpersonal challenges like cultural differences, language barriers, and clinical regulations. Clinicians thus use inquiry-based and impression-based approaches to provide information that is sensitive to patients' (assumed) individual needs and abilities, interaction dynamics and the clinical setting. To ensure that information is accurately tailored, clinicians are encouraged to verify assumptions with patients and be attentive to patients’ cultural backgrounds and possible language barriers. Future research should observe how information is tailored in real clinical interactions and how patients perceive these efforts.