A comprehensive new analysis has identified six essential communication domains that patients diagnosed with cancer value most in their interactions with surgeons. The research, which synthesizes patient perspectives from numerous studies, provides a clear framework for surgical oncologists to improve how they engage with individuals during one of the most stressful experiences of their lives. This focus on the patient’s viewpoint is critical, as effective communication is increasingly linked to better treatment adherence, higher patient satisfaction, and improved psychological resilience in the face of a difficult diagnosis.
The findings, presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2025, stem from a systematic review conducted by researchers at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health. While the technical skill of a surgeon remains paramount, this work underscores that the ability to connect with a patient on a human level is an equally vital component of cancer care. The study highlights a clear need for communication to be a core pillar of surgical training, ensuring that surgeons are equipped not only to treat the disease but also to support the person.
Key Domains of Patient-Centered Communication
The systematic review distilled data from over 2,400 studies to pinpoint the specific communication practices that matter most to patients. These areas move beyond the simple transfer of medical information to encompass the emotional and psychological support needed to navigate a cancer journey. They provide a roadmap for surgeons to build trust and foster a stronger therapeutic alliance. The six primary areas of communication that emerged from the comprehensive analysis offer a holistic view of the ideal patient-surgeon interaction.
The identified skills are:
- Emotional Support and Demeanor: Patients consistently expressed a preference for surgeons who project a hopeful and empathetic demeanor. This involves balancing difficult information with genuine emotional support to reduce feelings of isolation and fear.
- Setting Clear Expectations: A crucial skill is the ability to clearly communicate the long-term effects of treatment, including potential risks and impacts on quality of life. This transparency helps patients prepare for the journey ahead.
- Using Communication Aids: Patients reported that surgeons who used simple physical gestures and aids were more effective communicators. This includes actions as simple as sitting down during a consultation to convey presence and focus, or using diagrams and pamphlets to explain a complex diagnosis.
- Practicing Shared Decision-Making: The research revealed that patient preferences for involvement in treatment planning vary. An effective surgeon must be able to tailor their approach, leading the decision-making for some patients while actively collaborating with others who want a more hands-on role.
- Discussing Prognosis and Outlook: While many patients want to know statistical information and expected outcomes, they often prefer limited details if the prognosis is poor. This requires surgeons to skillfully balance delivering truth with preserving hope.
- Detailing Team and Office Logistics: Patients feel more secure when they understand that their care is coordinated. Surgeons who communicate that they are part of a multidisciplinary team, including professionals like nutritionists and social workers, provide significant reassurance.
A Rigorous Methodological Foundation
The conclusions were drawn from a robust systematic review, a research method that involves collecting and critically analyzing multiple research studies. The team from Hofstra/Northwell Health initially identified 2,402 studies related to patient-surgeon communication in oncology. From this large pool, they applied stringent inclusion criteria to select the most relevant and high-quality research. This process narrowed the focus to 15 key studies that contained both qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring that the findings were based on a solid evidence base.
This rigorous approach addresses a significant gap in medical research. While the importance of good communication is widely acknowledged, few studies have systematically compiled patient perspectives to define what effective communication looks like in surgical oncology. By synthesizing the available evidence, the researchers have created a reliable and validated framework that reflects the true priorities of patients. This work moves the conversation from abstract ideals to concrete, actionable skills that can be taught and implemented in clinical practice.
Navigating Difficult Conversations
One of the most challenging aspects of a surgeon’s role is discussing a patient’s prognosis. The study confirmed a complex dynamic: patients desire honesty but also need to maintain hope. This requires immense communicative skill. The findings suggest that surgeons must first assess a patient’s desire for detailed statistical information. For many, general outcomes are sufficient, especially when facing a grim prognosis, as excessive detail can undermine psychological balance.
This delicate balance is also reflected in the need for surgeons to project optimism while providing authentic emotional support. Patients value a surgeon who can acknowledge the seriousness of a cancer diagnosis and sit with them in their distress, rather than appearing detached. This human connection does not require false hope but rather a shared sense of purpose and a commitment to navigating the path forward together. It humanizes the clinical encounter and strengthens the patient’s ability to cope with the challenges of treatment.
The Importance of the Clinical Environment
Effective communication extends beyond dialogue to include the environment and the perceived structure of the care team. The review found that patients feel more confident and cared for when they are aware of the multidisciplinary collaboration behind their treatment plan. When a surgeon mentions coordinating with other experts, such as social workers, nutritionists, or translators, it conveys a sense of comprehensive, team-based care that patients greatly appreciate.
Non-verbal cues and simple actions also play an outsized role in patient perception. The act of a surgeon sitting down, for instance, changes the dynamic of a conversation from a hurried report to a focused, personal consultation. Similarly, using visual aids helps demystify complex medical information, empowering patients to better understand their own condition. These practices demonstrate respect for the patient and a willingness to invest the time needed to ensure they are fully informed and comfortable.
Implications for Surgical Education
Ultimately, these findings serve as a call to action for the medical community to formally integrate patient-centered communication skills into surgical training and continuing education. The research provides a clear, evidence-based curriculum for developing these competencies. By focusing on the six key domains, training programs can equip the next generation of surgeons with the skills needed to meet the emotional and informational needs of their patients more effectively.
As the landscape of medicine continues to shift toward a more patient-centered model, the definition of surgical excellence is expanding. Technical proficiency in the operating room is no longer the sole measure of a great surgeon. The ability to communicate with empathy, clarity, and compassion is a fundamental skill that directly impacts patient well-being and clinical outcomes. This study provides an essential blueprint for achieving that holistic vision of care.
