Communication difficulties in oncology practice: a Q&A workshop
https://doi.org/10.18027/2224-5057-2026-074
Abstract
The fundamental parameters of professional communication between an oncologist and a patient are quality contact and the presence of trust. Their absence can cause the physician stress in the doctor and become a source of unpleasant experiences. Disruption of the communication process intensifies patients' psychological distress, reduce treatment satisfaction, and even affect the effectiveness of the conducted treatment due to the patient's understanding of the information. This can lead to conflicts and complaints.
For five years, as part of the Russian Oncology Congress, medical psychologists with experience in cancer clinics have been conducting master classes, during which various aspects of psychologically competent professional com munications between a doctor and a patient are considered. The article discusses the questions asked during the last master class (11–13 December, 2025) and the answers of psychologists, which offer some principles and specific ways to resolve difficult situations that arise at the recep tion of oncologists.
Keywords
About the Authors
V. A. Chulkova
N. N. Petrov National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Ministry of Health of Russia
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Valentina Alekseevna Chulkova
68 Leningradskaya St., Pesochnyy, Saint Petersburg 197758
Competing Interests:
The authors declare that there are no possible conflicts of interest.
G. A. Tkachenko
Central Clinical Hospital with a Polyclinic Administrative Department of the President of the Russian Federation; Central State Medical Academy Administrative Department of the President of the Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Galina Andreevna Tkachenko
15, Marshala Timoshenko St., Moscow 121359
Build 1A, 19, Marshala Timoshenko St., Moscow 121359
Competing Interests:
The authors declare that there are no possible conflicts of interest.
N. G. Vasileva
Bekhterev National Medical Research Center of Psychiatry and Neurology
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Nadezhda Gennadievna Vasileva
3 Behtereva St., Saint Petersburg 192019
Competing Interests:
The authors declare that there are no possible conflicts of interest.
E. V. Glazkova
LLC “Medicentr YuZ»
Russian Federation
Competing Interests:
Russian Federation
Evgeniya Valerievna Glazkova
Build 2, 28 Marshala Zhukova Prospekt, Saint Petersburg 198303
Competing Interests:
The authors declare that there are no possible conflicts of interest.
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Review
For citations:
Chulkova V.A., Tkachenko G.A., Vasileva N.G., Glazkova E.V. Communication difficulties in oncology practice: a Q&A workshop. Malignant tumours. 2026;16(1):13-20. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18027/2224-5057-2026-074
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