title: A pilot project of a cancer patient library in Italy: results of a customer-satisfaction survey and its products.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to determine the degree of satisfaction of users of the Cancer Information Point section of the Library for Patients (CIP-LP), active since 1998 at the National Cancer Institute of Aviano, Italy. The CIP-LP is based on a skilled intermediary, adequate informative material and a specific location, within the Scientific Library of the Institute.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was developed to assess service functionality and quality from the users' viewpoint. During a 6-month period, a questionnaire was mailed to 194 patients and relatives who previously used the CIP-LP; 113 (58%) were returned and processed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the respondents, 91% were pleased with the CIP-LP and 95% would recommend the service to other people. The information obtained contributed to a clearer understanding of the illness and treatment (45% as first answer) and a better control of the situation (33%). Fifty-one per cent evaluated the information received as 'good', 42%'excellent' and 4%'of sufficient quality'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This survey shows the appreciation and usefulness in the users' perception of a specific hospital library for cancer patients and their relatives, providing an information service supplementary to doctor-patient communication.
authors.affiliation: Scientific and Patient Libraries, CRO Aviano National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy. itruccolo@cro.it
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Truccolo
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bianchet
authors.forename: Fabia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Capello
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Russell-Edu
authors.forename: Luigino
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dal Maso
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colombatti
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ciolfi
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tirelli
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Paoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires