Predictors of physicians' satisfaction with their management of uncertainty during a decision-making encounter with a simulated advanced stage cancer patient.

OBJECTIVES

To optimize their training, predictors of physicians' satisfaction with their management of uncertainty should be examined. This study investigated these predictors by using a simulated advanced stage cancer patient.

METHODS

Physicians (n=85) rated their satisfaction with their management of uncertainty (Visual Analog Scale-100mm) after a decision-making encounter. Communication predictors were examined with the: Observing Patient Involvement scale (OPTION), Multidimensional analysis of Patient Outcome Predictions (MD.POP) and Communication Content Analysis Software (LaComm). Psychological predictors were assessed with the: Intolerance of Uncertainty Inventory (IUI), Physicians' Reactions to Uncertainty scale (PRU), Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS), and Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE).

RESULTS

Physicians' satisfaction (mean=67mm; standard deviation=17mm) was not predicted by their communication, but by their anxiety due to uncertainty (PRU) (β=-.42; p=<.001) and their perceived empathy (JSPE) (β=.26; p=.009). These variables accounted for 25% of variance in physicians' satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians' satisfaction with their management of uncertainty was not affected by their communication performance, but by their psychological characteristics.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Training programs should increase physicians' awareness regarding the communication performance required in decision-making encounters under conditions of uncertainty.