Factors in the prioritization of information needs among Hong Kong Chinese breast cancer patients

Abstract

Objective:The study aims to examine the prioritization of information needs in breast cancer patients, using the Information Needs Questionnaire (INQ); and to identify the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with that prioritization.Methods:A cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted, by means of consecutive sampling. The INQ was used to examine participants’ preferences on information needs. Their demographic and clinical characteristics were collected by means of a structured questionnaire and review of medical records. Backward multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between prioritization of patients’ information needs and their demographic and clinical characteristics.Results:A total of 275 breast cancer patients took part in the analysis. Of the nine INQ items, most participants ranked as their top four needs information about the likelihood of a cure (79%), extent of the disease (76%), treatment options (55%), and family risk of developing breast cancer (51%). Certain demographic and clinical characteristics-religious belief, whether living alone or not, household income, educational level, and time since cancer diagnosis-influenced patients’ prioritization of information needs.Conclusion:Understanding and meeting the information needs of breast cancer patients are crucial to improving their quality of care. Different patients are likely to have different priorities in information needs according to their demographic and clinical characteristics. An awareness of these associated factors will allow better tailor-made educational interventions to be provided to meet patients’ individual needs in a more adequate way.

Information Needs of Breast Cancer Patients Attending Care at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital: A Descriptive Study

“…A study that was done on Chinese breast cancer patients, for example, indicated that patient's religious beliefs, whether living alone or not, educational level, and time since diagnosis influenced their preferences for information needs. 26 A systematic review by Tariman et al also showed that information connected to sexuality was the focus of younger patients, while older adults wanted information connected to selfcare. 10 Moreover, time since diagnosis, occupation, and physical condition were factors associated with information seeking and needs according to an original study done by Sainio et al 14 Additionally, a meta-analysis by Ankem also showed that age was significantly associated with information that younger cancer patients wanted more information compared with older patients.…”

Information Needs of Women with Breast Cancer: A Review of the Literature

“…These patients, regardless of cancer progression (metastatic or nonmetastatic), treatment stage (initiation or end of treatment), type of treatment (whether radiotherapy or chemotherapy or surgery) or occupation (whether they are employed or housewives), information about diagnosis and treatment is their most important information need, indicating the importance of this area and its subcategories among these patients. Previous studies have also addressed this issue [10,19,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40].…”

Does basic information concerning nutrition improve the information needs of breast cancer patients? An evaluation

“…Unmet information needs are experienced by many different cancer patients in all stages, even though certain demographic and clinical characteristics influence patients' prioritization of information needs [3][4][5][6]. Various differences have been reported, such as those between religious beliefs, age, whether they care for themselves alone, household income, educational level, time since cancer diagnosis, differences between men and women, and different needs with regard to the form of the tumour and the course of the disease [2][3][4]. This is particularly relevant when taking into consideration that there seems to be a link between unmet information needs and quality of life [7].…”

“…Unmet information needs that are experienced by breast cancer patients primarily focus on things that the patient can do to recover, as well as issues of fertility and sexuality, cancer spreading or chances of a cure, future thoughts, side effects and medication, health promotion, medical examination results, and treatment options [10][11][12][13]. The information needs of breast cancer patients differ depending on education, cultural factors, native language, and place of residence (rural or urban settings) [3,14,15]. There are also differences with regard to age in terms of information needs.…”

“…Understanding and meeting the information needs of patients is crucial to improving their quality of care, especially in the context of the information needs of patients with life-threating diagnoses, such as cancer. Most cancer patients’ information needs are concerned with the likelihood of a cure, the cancer stage and prognosis, treatment options, therapy, side effects, logistics, and the family risk of developing cancer [ 2 , 3 ].…”