title: Needs analysis of a cancer education program in south western Sydney.
abstract: Before establishing a cancer education program in South Western Sydney (SWS), a study was conducted to investigate the level of interest and presentation format preferred by patients with cancer and their relatives/friends regarding five types of cancer-related information: medical, psychological, and physical care issues as well as support services and available resources. A questionnaire using a Likert scale and open- and close-ended questions was distributed to the local cancer population and their families comprising a total sample size of 141. The results showed a uniformly high level of interest in learning about all five cancer-related topics with a preferred program format that consisted of a mixed media presentation of 1 to 6 weeks duration, consisting of 1- to 2-hour weekly sessions. A cancer education program based on the needs assessment findings was developed and implemented at Liverpool Hospital, which was positively evaluated by participants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Liverpool Hospital, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moylan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bannon
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Salih
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017028:Caregivers; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006285:Health Planning; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms; D009517:New South Wales; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*