A study published in a recent issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology (Vol 25, No 36 (December 20), 2007: pp. 5748-5752) examined the frequency with with cancer patients discussed emotional concerns with their oncologists and how doctors responded to empathic opportunities. The study found that when oncologists responded with empathy and allowed patients to continue expressing their emotions, rather than discouraging patients from expressing their feelings, patients had less anxiety and depression and reported greater satisfaction and adherence to therapy.

Researchers recorded 398 conversations between 51 oncologists and 270 patients with advanced cancer and found that 37% of those conversations contained at least one empathic opportunity; the total number of empathic opportunities was 292. When such opportunities occurred, oncologists responded with empathic statements 22% of the time. The study also found that the sex of the oncologists was related to the number of empathic opportunities: female patients of female oncologists had the most empathic opportunities. Younger oncologists and those who had a more socioemotional rather than technical orientation were also more likely to respond with empathic statements.