title: A patient orientation program at a comprehensive cancer center.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine which method of delivery of a cancer orientation program contributed to higher levels of satisfaction and lower levels of anxiety for newly diagnosed patients with cancer and each patient's support person.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized study of patients with cancer and caregivers into one of three delivery methods for an orientation program or a control arm.
  
  
  METHODS
  A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the midwestern United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Newly registered patients with cancer diagnoses and their identified support people.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention consisted of an orientation video and booklet delivered by three separate methods: class, drop-in sessions, or information mailed to homes. Participants completed questionnaires before the intervention and three weeks after the intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  State and trait anxiety, satisfaction, understanding of the organization, awareness and use of resources, and stress and coping.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most successful accrual arms were the mailed intervention and control groups. The mailed intervention group compared to the control group reported higher levels of satisfaction with the cancer center, satisfaction with resources, understanding of the cancer center's structure, and satisfaction with healthcare professionals' communication with them. Fewer intervention group participants reported a lack of awareness of specific resources, and a larger percentage of the intervention group used available resources. Fewer benefits were noted with caregivers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mailed intervention was successful in improving several patient outcomes. It was shown to be especially helpful to those with high trait anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A mailed orientation program can be a useful approach for increasing satisfaction with services.
authors: Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, NY, USA. deshler.amy@mayo.edu
authors: Amy M B
authors: AM
authors: Deshler
authors: Kelliann C
authors: KC
authors: Fee-Schroeder
authors: Jill L
authors: JL
authors: Dowdy
authors: Teresa A
authors: TA
authors: Mettler
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Novotny
authors: Xinghua
authors: X
authors: Zhao
authors: Marlene H
authors: MH
authors: Frost