Patient-Provider Communication and Treatment Decision-Making among Latino Men with Prostate Cancer: A Qualitative Study

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Hispanic/Latino men in the United States, excluding skin cancers. However, little is known about how patient-provider communication influences prostate cancer knowledge and treatment decision-making specifically among Latino prostate cancer patients. Thus, we explored how patient-provider communication influences prostate cancer knowledge and treatment decision-making for Hispanic/Latino prostate cancer patients in Los Angeles County. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews among 26 men who self-identified as Hispanic/Latino and were recently diagnosed with prostate cancer in Urology clinics at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Los Angeles General Medical Center between May 2020 and October 2022. RESULTS: Patient-provider relationships and communication significantly shaped treatment decision-making processes for prostate cancer. Positive patient-provider relationships, characterized by provider attentiveness, clear communication, and supplemental resources, facilitated shared decision-making and trust-based deference to physician expertise. Negative patient-provider relationships, characterized by provider inattentiveness, insufficient information, and blunt tone, resulted in authority-based deference. Three distinct decision-making processes were described by patients; shared decision-making, trust-based deference to the doctor's treatment recommendations due to expertise and trust, and authority-based deference to the doctor's "orders" due to the doctor's authority. CONCLUSION: Our findings underscore the importance of patient-provider relationships to facilitate positive care experiences and shared decision-making processes among Latino prostate cancer patients.