This phase II trial studies how well medical physics direct patient care works in improving patients' understanding of their cancer treatment. Providing direct physicist-patient interactions and answering patients' questions about their cancer treatment may help patients to understand the care and therefore reduce anxiety and distress during treatment.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To evaluate whether the Medical Physics Direct Patient Care Initiative (MPDPCI) improves anxiety/distress.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVE:

II. To assess whether the MPDPCI improves patient treatment adherence and overall satisfaction.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I: Patients receive printed materials describing the technical aspects of their treatment.

ARM II: Patients receive printed materials as in Arm I. Patients also receive a minimum of 2 direct physicist interactions to describe the technical aspects of their treatment either immediately prior to or immediately after treatment simulation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Medical physicists will be eligible if they care for patients within the Gershenson Radiation Oncology Center within the Karmanos Cancer Institute and have completed the patient communication training
• Are able to read and write in English
• Are scheduled for curative radiation therapy at the Gershenson Radiation Oncology Center

Exclusion Criteria:

• NONE