title: Information to patients with malignant melanoma: a randomized group study.
abstract: An information programme for patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma, Stage 1, aiming at increasing satisfaction with information, was carried out at the Department of Oncology (Radiumhemmet). The programme consisted of a group meeting and a brochure. A total of 231 consecutive patients were included, and 149 (65%) reported interest in participation and were randomized to the Information group (n = 77) or to the Control group. A total of 67 patients (29%) were not interested (the NI-group). To evaluate the programme, the patients in the three groups completed questionnaires regarding satisfaction with information, knowledge of melanoma and psychological and psychosomatic variables before randomization and at the first visit for follow-up at Radiumhemmet. After the information programme, the Information group was significantly more satisfied with information, had a higher level of knowledge and a lower proportion requested further information as compared with the Control group. No differences were found on the psychological and psychosomatic variables.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Brandberg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bergenmar
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bolund
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Michelson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Månsson-Brahme
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ringborg
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Sjödén
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D013664:Teaching Materials