Communicating with Emotional Patients: Thoughts, Skills, and Influencing Factors for Ontario Radiation Therapists

Patients receiving radiation therapy are subject to high anxiety levels. Radiation Therapists (RTs) are uniquely positioned to support patients as they progress through treatment, but little is known about therapists' ability to perform this important task. This research was designed to describe RTs' ability to communicate with cancer patients during emotional interactions and to determine what intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence that ability.