Information and communication needs of individuals living with advanced cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the informational needs of individuals living with advanced cancer, offer guidance to reliable and timely informational resources, and suggest ways in which communication among patients, family members, and health care providers can be optimized.


METHODS
Published articles and research studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Information and communication needs are problematic and common for people living with advanced cancer as they are frequently unable to find useful information. Health care professionals may lack effective communication skills that are suited to meet these patients' needs.


CONCLUSIONS
Nursing practice can be significantly strengthened by an awareness of the information needs of this population, and the skills to communicate more effectively with people living with advanced cancer and their families.
Marcusen
Carol
C
USC/Norris Comprehensive CancerCenter, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. Carol.marcusen@health.usc.edu
D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods