A colorectal cancer patient focus group develops an information package.
BACKGROUND
In order to deliver high quality care and empower cancer patients in decision-making, good quality information and communication are essential. We describe the development of an information booklet.


METHODS
A total of 22 colorectal cancer patients (12 male; median age, 72 years, range, 40-86 years) met on 3 occasions. Patients were asked to define their information needs and score them (1-4) according to importance. The information document was written. The second meeting involved feedback on the booklet. The modified booklet was reviewed/approved by the group before submission for local ethics committee approval prior to its distribution to other patients.


RESULTS
All participants felt the project a good idea. Essential information included the surgeon's individual morbidity, mortality, survival, recurrence data and details of adjuvant therapies (score = 4). Also important were type of surgery, complications and postoperative recovery (score = 3). Simple anatomical drawings were also considered important.


CONCLUSIONS
The booklet is now used to personalise information for all our patients and serves, in part, as a record of the key issues discussed during the consultation. The booklet has been evaluated in a randomised trial.
Carney
L
L
Department of Colorectal Surgery, Frenchay Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK.
Jones
L
L
Braddon
F
F
Pullyblank
A M
AM
Dixon
A R
AR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction