title: Survey on learning needs and preferred sources of information to meet these needs in Italian oncology patients receiving chemotherapy.
abstract: Cancer patient education can be especially important in topics like side effects of chemotherapy. Information needs of oncology patients are scarcely investigated in Italy. This study aimed to identify the learning needs, the amount of information desired and the preferred methods of information delivery of Italian cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. A total of 111 cancer patients completed a questionnaire developed for this study, which was assessed for validity and reliability. Respondents ranked the following priority information: illness, recovery, treatments, chemotherapy side effects and trajectory of illness. The great majority wanted to receive as much information as possible about all these topics. Most patients showed their wish to be informed along with their relatives, but only a few wanted relatives to be informed before them. The preferred method for receiving information about side effects of chemotherapy was oral conversation, followed by written information. Patients preferred receiving information from the oncologist, followed by the oncology nurse and the general practitioner. Most respondents preferred to be informed before receiving the first cycle of chemotherapy. Results are consistent with the existing literature with regard to information priorities, quantity of information desired and preferred methods of information. In contrast with a non-disclosure dominant culture, Italian cancer patients manifest their wish to be informed a great deal and personally about their condition. In order to meet cancer patients' information needs, health professionals' education and practice should be improved.
authors.affiliation: Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 220-00128 Roma, Italy. m.piredda@unicampus.it
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piredda
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rocci
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gualandi
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Petitti
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vincenzi
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: De Marinis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024382:Professional Role; D012945:Social Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014342:Truth Disclosure
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents