Perceptions of caring behaviors and patient anxiety and depression in cancer patient-staff dyads.

Cancer patient and staff perceptions of the importance of caring behaviors (Caring Assessment Instrument, CARE-Q) and patient levels of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) were determined in 19 matched patient-staff dyads. Both groups perceived comforting and anticipating behaviors to be among the most important ones. Patients considered behaviors focused on staff explaining and facilitating to be more important than did staff, whereas staff rated behaviors concerning accessibility as more important than did patients. Patient and staff perceptions of the importance of comforting behaviors were negatively associated. No significant mean value difference or correlation was found on the HADS anxiety or depression subscales. Members of matched patient-staff dyads did not agree strongly on the importance of caring behaviors and patient levels of anxiety and depression.