Kirsten F. L. Douma|Caro C.E. Koning|Linda C. Zandbelt|Hanneke C. J. M. de Haes|Ellen M. A. Smets
Do patients’ information needs decrease over the course of radiotherapy?
Academic Medical Center|Academic Medical Center|Academic Medical Center|Academic Medical Center|Academic Medical Center
aimed investigate cancer patients information needs decrease radiotherapy patient consultation radiation oncologist characteristics associated decrease information needs timein longitudinal study patients n 104 completed baseline questionnaire week initial radiotherapy consultation immediately following initial consultation 1 week prior first followup visit took place average 35 weeks initial visit besides information needs measured information preference radiotherapy patients scale questionnaire assessed patient consultation radiation oncologist characteristicsinformation needs decreased time remained high level religious male low health literacy higher perceived involvement consultation statistically significantly associated decrease information needs specific domains eg procedures side effectscancer patients information needs decline initial consultation first followup visit remain high therefore advised investigate patients information needs every radiotherapy visit rely giving information furthermore radiation oncologists check information given first consultation understood remembered means tailored information giving becomes possible