Effects of information supply on satisfaction with information and quality of life in cancer patients receiving curative radiation therapy.
In order to test the efficacy of various information inputs, 210 consecutive cancer patients were randomized to one of three information conditions before the start of curative radiation treatment: (1) standard information plus group and repeated individual information (n=70), (2) standard information plus brochure (n=70), and (3) standard information only (n=70). Patients completed questions regarding satisfaction with information, anxiety, depression, subjective distress and quality of life at inclusion, and 1h before the start of the radiation therapy treatment (approximately 4 weeks later). Patients receiving standard information plus group and repeated individual information were significantly more satisfied with the information than were patients in the remaining two groups. There were no differences with respect to any of the other outcome measures. This study has shown that the nurses group and individual information was of significant importance in preparing the patients for the procedure of receiving radiation therapy.
Häggmark
C
C
Department of Oncology, Karolinska Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden. caroline.haggmark@ks.se
Bohman
L
L
Ilmoni-Brandt
K
K
Näslund
I
I
Sjödén
P O
PO
Nilsson
B
B
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000592:standards; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials / Q000592:standards*