Sources of Information for Learning and Decision-Making in Men With Localized Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Information seeking is essential for effective patient-centered decision-making. However, prostate cancer patients report a gap between information needed and information received. The importance of different information sources for treatment decision remains unclear. Thus, using the Comprehensive Model of Health Information (CMIS) framework, we assessed the antecedent factors, information carrier factors, and information-seeking activities in localized prostate cancer patients. Data were collected via semistructured one-on-one, interviews and structured survey. Men with localized prostate cancer were recruited from two urban health-care centers. Following the interview, participants completed a survey about sources that were helpful in learning about prostate cancer treatment and decision-making. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and subjected to a thematic analysis using NVivo 10. Fifty localized prostate cancer survivors completed the interviews and surveys. Important antecedent factors that were observed were age, marital status, uncertainty, anxiety, caregiver burden, and out-of-pocket expenses. We identified complexity, magnitude, and reliability as information carrier characteristics. Preferred sources for information were health providers, medical websites, and pamphlets from the doctor’s office. These sources were also perceived as most helpful for decision-making. Urologists, urological oncologists, and radiation/radiation oncologists were important sources of information and helpful in decision-making. Prostate cancer patients obtained information from multiple sources. Most prostate cancer patients make patient-centered choices by incorporating personal factors and medical information. By considering factors that influence patients’ treatment decisions, health-care providers can enhance the patient-centeredness of care. Multiple strategies and interventions are necessary for disseminating valid, reliable, and unbiased information to prostate cancer patients to facilitate informed decisions.

Applying the comprehensive model of information seeking to understand chronic illness information scanning: Hong Kong evidence

“…Second, by adopting the three-type channel categorization, in this study, allows the opportunity to make sense of and compare our findings with other CMIS studies using similar channel categorization (e.g., H. O. Lee & Kim, 2015;Xiao et al, 2020;Chhatre et al, 2020). The three-type channel categorization is one of the most common forms of categorization in CMIS research.…”

“…First, the three‐type channel categorization has been employed by health communication researchers and empirical evidence has supported its usefulness to examine health information acquisition behavior (e.g., Alwhaibi et al, 2017; Dutta‐Bergman, 2004; H. O. Lee & Kim, 2015; Tian & Robinson, 2008; Yang et al, 2017). Second, by adopting the three‐type channel categorization, in this study, allows the opportunity to make sense of and compare our findings with other CMIS studies using similar channel categorization (e.g., H. O. Lee & Kim, 2015; Xiao et al, 2020; Chhatre et al, 2020). The three‐type channel categorization is one of the most common forms of categorization in CMIS research.…”

Information seeking for coping with cancer: a systematic review

“…Information seeking is essential for effective patient-centred decision-making (Chhatre et al, 2020) and enables better health outcomes (Katavic et al, 2016;Kostagiolas et al, 2021). Information seeking is widely used by patients (Ebel et al, 2017).…”

Detailing sexual outcomes after treatment of localised prostate cancer with focal therapy using various energy sources: protocol for a mixed-methods study

“…Importantly, the results will improve the information given to patients before treatment when decision making can be problematic and confusing. 13 We hope that the depth of detail obtained here will help men to decide on treatment modality with a clear knowledge of the potential consequences of each, particularly for those who consider the preservation of sexual function as a priority.…”