Information provision to cancer patients: a practical example of identifying the need for changes in practice from the Dorset Cancer Centre

Abstract

The aim of this study was to produce a patient-centred information strategy based on the results of a local survey of cancer patients about the information they receive and their information needs. An anonymous patient survey was distributed at the Dorset Cancer Centre, Poole Hospital, the regional cancer centre for Dorset, in the South-west of England. All patients attending the Cancer Centre during 1 week in September 1999 were asked to complete a questionnaire on patient experience of the Cancer Centre, information sources, receipt and quality of Centre information, and perception of information requirements. Two hundred and eighty-two were returned. Most respondents had accessed information from a number of sources. Written Cancer Centre information had been given to most patients, and was generally perceived to be useful, understandable and timely. However, most patients had received information 'all at once', from a single professional group, and a notable proportion did not recall discussing it with staff. Furthermore, most patients indicated that information should also be provided to families and professionals. Seven items of information were selected as valuable by the majority of patients, with many others listed. There was a great deal of satisfaction with the current content of the patient information provided. However, the distribution system was shown to be in need of improvement. A new information strategy has been developed in the light of these findings.

Cancer patient education in Iran: a descriptive study

“…While in many developed countries printed information on cancer is given to most patients [11], a high proportion of the respondents in this study, both cancer patients and their relatives, stated that they had not received any printed material about cancer, its treatment and symptom management form their cancer specialists ( Table 2). This might be explained by the fact that there is not enough printed material on cancer-related topics available in Iran.…”

“…In other words, it is argued that both the content and the mode of delivery of patient information are important [23]. Evidence suggests that preparation of information is part of an on-going process and patients gain maximum benefit when they receive information at the right time during care [11,26]. In contrast, it has been shown that while all cancer patients want basic information on their diagnosis and treatment, not all want further information at all stages of their disease.…”

Evaluation of the addition of video-based education for patients receiving standard pre-chemotherapy education

“…Our video length was modelled on adult learning which suggests a 7-20min attention span and we wished to 'cluster' the information to include the main and most relevant themes of the standard pre-chemotherapy education (Spencer 1998). The video format guaranteed consistency of information being supplied to patients with regard to self-help concepts as opposed to variations that may be experienced when patients get information from more than one person (Harris 1997;Hope et al 2000). It may confuse patients and their families already stressed by their disease and impending treatment.…”

Psychometric assessment and application of a questionnaire measuring patient satisfaction with information on cancer treatment

“…Consistent with this view, our results clearly show that 100 patients did not exhibit a tendency of favouring the third rating category (see Table 3). As previous studies illustrate, important information needs of patients are information about diagnosis, treatment, cure rate, side effects and complementary treatments [13][14][15][16][17] . Needs regarding treatment information seem to have been met in the present study population as the rather high satisfaction scores show.…”