How does a physician's accurate understanding of a cancer patient's unmet needs contribute to patient perception of physician empathy?

Physician AU has the power to protect the doctor-patient relationship in spite of high patient unmet needs, but only in certain conditions.

Abstract

Physicians should be encouraged toward AU but warned that high rapport and patient low emotional expression may impede an accurate reading of patients. In this latter case, they should request a formal assessment of their patients' needs.