| Patients with smoking-related illnesses (lung cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) may face stigma. Empathic Behaviour (EB) is one measure of communication between the patient and Informal Caregiver (IC). This study (n=34) compared patient and IC stigma and EB of dyads with smoking-related illnesses (n=19) to those with colorectal cancer (n=15). EB scales demonstrated reliability; however, stigma scales had poor reliability within smoking-related illness groups. Patient or IC stigma did not differ between groups. Younger patients, patients and ICs without religion reported more stigma. EB was positively correlated with education and income, and negatively correlated with patient and IC smoking. Smoking-related illness patients rated ICs as less empathic and patient stigma was negatively correlated with IC's perception of patient's EB. In the colorectal cancer group, IC stigma was negatively correlated with patient's perception of self and IC's EB. Empathic behavior is potentially modifiable and interventions may improve communication and patient outcomes. |
