Lay Etiology, Self-Efficacy and Patient Activation Among Cancer Patients

Background We aimed at clarifying correlations between lay etiologies, self-efficacy, and patient activation among cancer patients. Methods Patients with different kinds of cancer answered a questionnaire on self-efficacy, lay etiology, and patient activation. Results 639 patients participated. Psychological reasons/stress (43.3%) and destiny (41.6%) were the most cited causes. Lay etiology was influenced by demographics, self-efficacy, and patient activation. Men, younger people, and active patients more often described internal causes of cancer, women and religious patients more often external causes. Patients with higher scores of self-efficacy were more often convinced of external cancer causes. Conclusion By identifying individual disease theories, physicians may improve patient-physician communication.

Automated summary

This study found that cancer patients' explanations of the causes of cancer were influenced by demographics, self-efficacy, and patient activation levels. Men, younger people, and active patients were more likely to attribute cancer to internal causes, while women and religious patients were more likely to attribute cancer to external causes. Patients with higher self-efficacy scores were more likely to believe in external causes of cancer. Identifying individual beliefs about disease may help improve patient-physician communication.