Information-Seeking Styles Among Cancer Patients Before and After Treatment by Demographics and Use of Information Sources

Abstract

The type and quantity of information needed varies between patients who actively seek information and those who tend to avoid information. We analyzed data from a longitudinal study of adult cancer patients from outpatient clinics for whom information needs and behaviors were assessed by survey before and after treatment. We evaluated the relationships between information-seeking style (active, moderately active and passive styles) and demographics, cancer type, and health status for the pretreatment and posttreatment periods and overall. The Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) approach was used to model the log odds of more active to more passive information-seeking preferences taking into consideration both the pretreatment and posttreatment periods.Results-Analyses included 731 case participants, including female breast cancer patients (51%), male genitourinary cancer patients (18%), and lung cancer patients of both sexes (10%). At pretreatment, 17% reported an active information-seeking style, 69% were moderately active, and 14% were passive. During this period, 19% of those with at least some college education reported being very active compared to 14% of those with less education. With adjustment for all other covariates, male genitourinary and lung cancer patients had a higher odds of having a more active information-seeking style in the pretreatment than in the posttreatment period, with an odds of 4.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4-8.4) and 5.4 (95% CI: 2.7-10.6), respectively. Controlling for all covariates, breast cancer patients had 1.5 (95% CI: 1.0-2.1) times higher odds of being more active in seeking information than other patients.Conclusions-Public health researchers and clinicians must work together to develop the most effective strategy for meeting the informational needs of these patients before and after treatment.

Patients with Cancer and their Relatives Beliefs, Information Needs and Information-Seeking Behavior about Cancer and Treatment

“…Results from this survey are consistent with the existing literature regarding information priorities; quantity of information desired and preferred methods of information (Rutten et al, 2005;Piredda et al, 2008;Eheman et al, 2009). All of them indicate that they want to be informed by doctor about their diagnosis and treatment first.…”

“…It is known that some people cope with the illness by seeking the information actively because it reduces the uncertainty and it increases the feeling of control. But some people can display avoiding behavior as wanting limited information or not wanting any information (Rees and Bath, 2001;Eheman et al, 2009).…”

Associations of Self-rated Health and Socioeconomic Status with Information Seeking and Avoiding Behavior among Post-Treatment Cancer Patients

“…Particularly, few studies have directly compared the two within one sample due to difficulties in collecting data for a systematic comparison. Moreover, seeking and avoiding behaviors can change over the illness trajectory (McCaughan and McKenna, 2007;Eheman et al, 2009;, as well as disease related factors (Mayer et al, 2007;Nagler et al, 2010;SmithMcLallen et al, 2011). Therefore, this study on HISBs and HIABs promises to provide useful material for comparing the two categories.…”

Risk, Activism, and Empowerment

“…Therefore, physicians need to focus on presenting clear and accurate information to aid the patient through their journey and instigate a relationship of trust, which is tied to an increase in compliance with physicians' recommendations (e.g., Kowalski et al, 2009;Paulsel, McCroskey & Richmond, 2006). Physicians are expected to recognize the contingent nature of medical visits, as patients have different informational needs at different times; physicians can address these needs in a way that avoids professional jargon 6 and is accurately understood by patients (e.g., Eheman et al, 2009;Thompson, 5 Patients' reluctance to communicate effectively with a physician is not necessarily a failing of the patient, but of the improper communication skills and training of the physician (e.g., Hanoch, 2004;Huijer & van Leeuwen, 2000). 6 Medical language can often seem foreign and complex to patients, with jargon clouding their understanding of diagnoses and treatment options (Lee & Hawkins, 2010). 2009).…”