Development and evaluation of an information booklet/decision-making guide for patients with colorectal cancer considering therapy in addition to surgery.
The aim of this project was to develop and evaluate a decision-making guide for patients with colorectal cancer contemplating adjuvant therapy. Initially, a focus group was held, and then a draft booklet was developed, which was reviewed by patients and professionals. A subsequent revised booklet and a questionnaire were mailed to 24 patients and 32 professionals for evaluation. Further changes resulted in the final 100-page decision-making guide, which had a Flesch-Kincaid reading level of 8.0 and DISCERN rating 5. Seventeen patients (71%) and 22 professionals (69%) completed the questionnaire. All patients agreed/strongly agreed the guide was 'informative' and 'written in a way you like' and 94% considered it 'helpful for making decisions'. Professionals found it 'informative' (95%), 'written in a pleasing style' (95%), 'easy to understand' (91%) and felt it would 'help patients make decisions' (76%), 'be appropriate to give to patients' (91%) and would 'improve patient knowledge and preparedness' (100%). Further work aims to assess the impact of the guide upon patient outcomes.
Jefford
M
M
Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Locked Bag 1, A'Beckett Street, Victoria 8006, Australia. Michael.Jefford@petermac.org
Gibbs
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A
Reading
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents