title: How satisfied are head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with the information they receive pre-treatment? Results from the satisfaction with cancer information profile (SCIP).
abstract: Recent UK government recommendations state that high quality information must be provided for cancer patients. The objectives of this study were firstly, to explore how satisfied head and neck cancer (HNC) patients were with information provided about their illness and treatment, in order to identify areas of improvement. Secondly, to assess the extent to which satisfaction with information before treatment was predictive of long-term outcomes. Patients completed the satisfaction with information profile (SCIP), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the SF-12 Health Survey (SF-12v2) before treatment (n=82), 1 month after the end of treatment (n=68) and 6-8 months later (n=50). Patients were generally satisfied with information, however key areas of improvement were identified, such as the provision of information about support groups, where to go for financial advice and the long-term affects of treatment on ability to work, physical functioning and QoL. Satisfaction with information before treatment was predictive of depression and Mental Component Summary scores (HR-QoL) 6-8 months after the end of treatment. This study highlights the need for tailored information provision and the impact on longitudinal outcomes of satisfying patient's needs for information prior to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Health Psychology Section, Division of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry (Guy's Campus) King's College London, and Department of Oral Surgery, Guy's Hospital NHS Trust, SE1 9RT, UK. c.d.llewellyn@bsms.ac.uk
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Llewellyn
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McGurk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weinman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D016896:Treatment Outcome