Information Needs of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgical Oncology Patients

Abstract

A marked knowledge gap exists concerning the information needs of hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgical oncology patients. We investigated the comprehensive information needs of this patient population, including the type and amount of information desired, as well as the preferred method of receiving information. A questionnaire was administered to patients being treated surgically for cancers of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, or bile ducts at Toronto General Hospital, part of the University Health Network, in Toronto, Canada. The questionnaire examined patients' information needs across six domains of information: medical, practical, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. Among 36 respondents, the importance of information and amount of information desired differed significantly by domain (both p < 0.001). This group of patients rated information in the medical and physical domains as most important, though they also desired specific items of information from the emotional, practical, and social domains. Patients' overwhelming preference was to receive information via a one-on-one consultation with a healthcare provider. It is important for healthcare providers working with HPB surgical oncology patients to be comprehensive when providing information related to patients' cancer diagnosis, prognosis, associated symptoms, and side effects of treatment. Certain emotional, practical, and social issues (e.g., fears of cancer recurrence, drug coverage options, relationship changes) should be addressed as well. Face-to-face interactions should be the primary mode of delivering information to patients. Our findings are being used to guide the training of healthcare providers and the development of educational resources specific to HPB surgical oncology patients.

Patient information needs in upper gastrointestinal cancer: what patients and their families want to know

“…After removal of duplicates, the title and abstracts of 2986 articles were reviewed and demonstrated that patient information requirements were not the topic of focus of the publication. Comprehensive analysis of the remaining 24 articles resulted in the selection of six articles that met criteria, and are summarized in Table . Specifically these six studies examined the patient information needs in areas of cancer‐specific and treatment‐related information.…”

“…Gillespie et al . used a postal questionnaire to rank information needs of hepatobiliary cancer patients by domain.…”

“…All investigations in this review emphasized the importance of one‐on‐one consultations with health professionals for the optimum transfer of information. Schildmann et al .…”

Acknowledging pancreaticoduodenectomy as a multi‐visceral resection

“…2 A recent review of the information needs of hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) cancer patients showed that information relating to quality of life, post-operative function and life impact of surgery were nominated as the most important parts of patient preoperative experience. 3 The extent of surgical resection in PE and PD is restricted by 'non-negotiable' marginsthe pelvic side wall and retroperitoneum, respectively. Recognition of these boundaries in PE has driven the use of adjuvant therapies, both pre and intra-operatively, to enhance the surgical margin.…”

“…High MD masks cancers, decreasing the accuracy of mammography. 3 MD is the most common method for measuring breast density. Its significance is modified by age and body mass index.…”