WASHINGTON — Talking about money is never easy. But when doctors are reluctant to talk about medical costs, a patient’s health can be undermined. A study published in this month’s Health Affairs explores the dynamics that can trigger that scenario.

Patients are increasingly responsible for shouldering more of their own health costs. In theory, that’s supposed to make them sharper consumers and empower them to trim unnecessary health spending. But previous work has shown it often leads them to skimp on both valuable preventive care and superfluous services alike.

Doctors could play a key role in instead helping patients find appropriate and affordable care by talking to them about their out-of-pocket costs. But, a range of physician behaviors currently stands in the way, according to the study, released Monday.

“We need to prepare physicians to hold more productive conversations about health care expenses with their patients,” said Peter Ubel, the study’s main author and a physician and behavioral scientist at Duke University.

The researchers analyzed transcripts of almost 2,000 physician-patient conversations regarding breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and depression treatment. They identified instances in which patients suggested that the cost of care might be difficult to afford and assessed how doctors responded.

Overall, researchers noted two ways in which doctors dismissed patients’ financial woes. They either did not acknowledge the concerns patients expressed or only half-addressed them.