Managing uncertainty and responding to difficult emotions: Cancer patients’ perspectives on clinician response during the COVID-19 pandemic

•The COVID-19 pandemic added considerable uncertainty and emotional distress for cancer patients.•Clinicians’ communication that that was responsive to patients’ uncertainty and difficult emotions was associated with better self-reported health outcomes.•Cancer patients who reported less positive communication experiences with clinicians also reported lower self-efficacy and less social support.•Clinicians need skills to enhance their “webside” manner to insure more patient-centered communication experiences for cancer patients.