[Cancer patients expectations of their doctors].

Abstract

The evaluation of expectations of patients is one of the elements of evaluation of patient’s satisfaction from the received medical services. The degree to which these expectations are met determinates the level of patient’s motivation to complete doctor’s orders and undertake actions aiming the diagnostic and therapeutic process. Cancers as diseases of affluence are a significant clinical and social issue. In the context of holistic patient care the research of cancer patient’s expectations are of special importance. The aim of the work is to present definitions and types of expectations that the cancer patients have of their doctors and the methodology of research in this field. The work was performed on basis of analysis of publications found in MEDLINE , EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science databases and concerning results of research of patient’s expectations. First part of the article discusses the definitions and type of patient’s expectations of doctors. Then the begins of research on the expectations of patients were described, including the input of Polish authors in this field. Then we moved on to discuss research evaluating the expectations of cancer patients. In comparing the different researches we conclude, that the cancer patients declare their need of support and expect information regarding their treatment. What those expectations require from the doctors, is the development of communication skills that are adjusted to the situation on every stage of the diagnostic and therapeutic processes as well as knowledge of the ways the patients can cope with their disease.