Use of Persuasive Language in Communication of Risk during Prostate Cancer Treatment Consultations.
Aurash Naser-TavakolianRebecca GaleMichael LuuJohn M MastersonAbhishek VenkataramanaDmitry KhodyakovJennifer T AngerEdwin PosadasHoward SandlerStephen J FreedlandBrennan SpiegelTimothy J DaskivichPublished in: Medical decision making : an international journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making (2024)
Physicians use persuasive language favoring their treatment recommendation when communicating risks of prostate cancer treatment, which may influence a patient's treatment choice.Coders predicted physician treatment recommendations based on isolated, randomized quotes about cancer prognosis, life expectancy, and side effects with 91% accuracy.Qualitative analysis revealed that when favoring nonaggressive treatment, physicians used persuasive language that amplified side effect risks and downplayed cancer risk. When favoring aggressive treatment, physicians did the opposite.Providers should be cognizant of using persuasive strategies and aim to provide quantified assessments of risk that are jointly interpreted with the patient so that patients can make evidence-based conclusions regarding risks without solely relying on persuasive language.