Health Information Seeking Behavior of Breast Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Study

Ravangard, Ramin; Chaman‐Ara, Kefayat; Bahrami, Elham; Bahrami, Mohammad Amin

doi:10.21203/rs.2.20728/v1

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 49 publications

(246 reference statements)

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“…For data collection purposes, a team consisting of three female academics developed a structured interview guide based on an extensive review of relevant literature. [14][15][16][17]18,23,30,[33][34][35][36] The reason for selecting the focus group method was its ability to gather information, facilitate comparison and contrast of ideas, and encourage participants to generate ideas. These benefits aligned with the goals of our study.…”

Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating online health information utilisation and its psychosocial implications among breast cancer survivors: Qualitative explorations

Melhem,

Nanhani-Gebara,

Kayyali

2024

Health Promot Perspect

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Background: This study investigated the online information-seeking behaviours of breast cancer patients at Jordan University Hospital, focusing on their dissatisfaction with available online health resources and its impact on their well-being and anxiety levels. Methods: Employing descriptive phenomenology and convenience sampling, we conducted five Skype-based focus groups with 4-6 breast cancer survivors each, from March to July 2020. Data analysis was performed using NVivo, following Braun and Clark’s inductive thematic analysis framework. Results: The thematic analysis revealed critical insights into survivors’ interactions with online cancer resources, identifying key subthemes such as the quality of online information, cyberchondriasis, health literacy and search strategies, the distress caused by counterproductive searches, and the tendency to avoid internet searches. Conclusion: The study underscores the challenges breast cancer survivors face in accessing online health information, especially in Arabic. It highlights the need to improve the quality and accessibility of these resources. Enhancing the cultural relevance of online materials and educating patients on effective information evaluation are crucial. These measures can significantly boost health literacy, mitigate anxiety, and provide better support for breast cancer survivors.

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Section: Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating online health information utilisation and its psychosocial implications among breast cancer survivors: Qualitative explorations

Melhem,

Nanhani-Gebara,

Kayyali

2024

Health Promot Perspect

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“…Davinia et al, in an assessment of patients with MBC in their first year after diagnosis found that most participants had high informational needs, and were most interested in information about treatment and disease [11]. In a systematic review of studies on health information seeking behaviour of breast cancer patients, Ravangard found a high level of unmet informational needs, and also a high degree of dissatisfaction with information provided by care providers [12]. Other studies have repeatedly demonstrated the needs for information among BC patients across their cancer journey and even as survivors [13] [14] [15], and others have shown association between having informational needs met and satisfaction with care [16].…”

Section: Themesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Needs and Opportunities for Information in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Tanzania—A Qualitative Study

Dharsee¹,

Mwakatobe²,

Haule³

et al. 2023

ABCR

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Background: The majority of breast cancer patients in Tanzania present with advanced disease, and a significant proportion has metastatic breast cancer (MBC) on presentation or develops it during the course of their follow-up. With few treatment options to choose from, such patients often benefit from empathic support and access to information to help them make treatment decisions based on their individual circumstances and needs. Patients with MBC have been shown to present with unique physical, social and psychological needs that require additional time, counselling and availability of health care providers in addition to the routine options available to other patients. In resource-limited settings, the needs of such patients are often unknown and unaddressed, which adds to the anxiety associated with the diagnosis and its treatment. Materials and methods: This descriptive qualitative study was conducted using 3 focus group discussions with a total of 17 participants with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) attending Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Participants were purposively selected for the study from outpatient clinics and inpatient wards. A semi-structured FGD guide was used to moderate discussions and analysis was done using a thematic approach. Results: The median age of participants was 51 (range 33 -81 years) with an average of 4 months (range 1 -12 months) from diagnosis of BC to the interview. 4 (24%) were diagnosed with MBC on first presentation (denovo). Participants spoke about the importance of accurate BC-related information in allowing timely referral and treatment both in the community and within the health system. They recognized the role of mass and social How to cite this paper: Dharsee, N., Mwakatobe, K., Haule, M., Tarimo, Q. and Mbwana, M. (2023) Needs and Opportunities for Information in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Tanzania-A Qualitative Study.

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“…Information is communicative meaningful symbols transferred between two points. Information‐seeking behaviour can be classified as either proactive seeking of information, passive exposure to information, or behaviour aimed at avoiding information (Ravangard et al, 2020). Health information‐seeking behaviour is a complex concept that enables individuals to deal with improving health and engaging with the details of a medical condition or the psychological consequences of the diagnosis (Zimmerman & Shaw, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A survey of health information seeking by cancer patients indicates some problems over medical explanations and terminology

Akbolat

Amarat

Ünal

et al. 2021

Health Info Libraries J

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Background: Cancer patients may experience stress because of insufficient information about their illness, health condition, or treatment, but some may fear what the information reveals.Objective: This study aims to determine health information-seeking behaviour, the attitudes of cancer patients, the barriers they face in seeking health information and their sociodemographic and disease characteristics. Methods: A survey was conducted with 84 cancer patients in Turkey. Descriptive statistics were performed to determine the characteristics of information seeking and barriers found. Results: Cancer patients are likely to seek health information, often confident about finding resources easily. The main problems are as follows: (1) insufficient information from health care providers; (2) understanding medical terminology; and (3) lack of help from health care providers to explain information retrieved. Discussion: The information-seeking behaviour of cancer patients in this sample in Turkey resembles studies elsewhere, with (overall) evidence of monitoring behaviour (wanting to find out more about the disease, treatment and effects on lived experience). Conclusions:The cancer patients in this survey were generally willing and confident in their information seeking to find out more about the disease, treatment and effects on lifestyle. The main barriers were medical terminology, insufficient explanations and information from healthcare providers.

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Health Information Seeking Behavior of Breast Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Study

Cited by 3 publications

References 49 publications

Evaluating online health information utilisation and its psychosocial implications among breast cancer survivors: Qualitative explorations

Evaluating online health information utilisation and its psychosocial implications among breast cancer survivors: Qualitative explorations

Needs and Opportunities for Information in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Tanzania—A Qualitative Study

A survey of health information seeking by cancer patients indicates some problems over medical explanations and terminology

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