Cancer-related patient education: an overview of the last decade of evaluation and research.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an overview of cancer-related patient-education research to determine future research needs.


METHODS
A literature search of peer-reviewed articles from 1989-1999. Databases that were searched included Medline, CINAHL, HealthStar, ERIC, CancerLit, and PubMed.


RESULTS
176 articles were analyzed and synthesized into narrative form.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with cancer want and benefit from information, especially when making treatment decisions. Education helps patients manage side effects and improves adherence. Literacy is an important factor in materials development. The efficacy of computer-assisted learning, audio and video programs, and telephone interventions is supported in a variety of patient groups. Pain education can improve pain control, but the impact on fatigue has not been well researched.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient education is an important component of nursing care. Research has confirmed its impact in many areas but questions still remain.
Chelf
J H
JH
University of Minnesota, Rochester, USA.
Agre
P
P
Axelrod
A
A
Cheney
L
L
Cole
D D
DD
Conrad
K
K
Hooper
S
S
Liu
I
I
Mercurio
A
A
Stepan
K
K
Villejo
L
L
Weaver
C
C
D003146:Communications Media; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D003657:Decision Making; D004522:Educational Status; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing*; D015399:Nursing Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D013664:Teaching Materials