The information needs of head and neck cancer patients prior to surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the common themes in the experiences and expressed information needs of patients undergoing head and neck surgery. Summary background data : Patients who suffer head and neck cancers and undergo surgery often report considerable psychological distress and impaired social functioning. To optimise survival, the decision about what treatment option to follow is often made quickly, with little support in terms of counselling or the provision of information. There is inadequate previous work exploring the content and delivery of information required by patients at this time.


METHODS
Participants included patients who had undergone surgery for head or neck cancer (n=29) and their immediate relatives who were present at the initial consultation with the surgeon (n=13). Patients were recruited from out-patient departments in two hospitals in the north of England. All interviews were conducted in participants' homes and were guided by a semistructured interview schedule devised both from literature and a pilot study.


RESULTS
Whilst most participants felt well informed about the surgical procedure they were undergoing, many reported feeling unprepared for the long-term lifestyle changes that occurred. Information, support and advice throughout the 3-6 months postoperative period was reported to be inadequate. The majority of participants did not ask any questions and did not perceive there was a choice regarding treatment. Individuals who wanted to take an active role in decision-making reported difficulties accessing information to enable them to do so.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study emphasise the need for individualised information provision defined not exclusively by the surgical procedure.
Newell
Rob
R
School of Health Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.
Ziegler
Lucy
L
Stafford
Nick
N
Lewin
Robert J
RJ
D000368:Aged; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*