title: Postoperative information needs and communication barriers of esophageal cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Given the poor prognosis of esophageal cancer and the impact of surgery on health-related quality of life (HRQL), addressing patients' postoperative information needs is important. This study aimed to examine (1) the content and type of patients' information needs and (2) patient perceived facilitators and barriers to patient participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews were conducted with 20 purposefully selected esophageal cancer patients. Open and structured questions were alternated. The transcribed interviews were analysed inductively and deductively, using MAXqda.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients' post-operative information needs concerned HRQL, medical care and prognosis, covering several sub-domains. Different types of needs were identified, e.g., requests for information about cause, course and self-management. Barriers to patient participation mostly reflected beliefs and skills, and could be categorized into agenda and communication barriers. Facilitators of patient participation reflected physician, patient and interaction characteristics, companion support and pre-visit preparation. Many patients saw merit in pre-visit preparation interventions; few endorsed skill-building interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study listed the postoperative information needs of esophageal cancer patients. Moreover, it gained insight into patient-perceived barriers and facilitators of patient participation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings demonstrate what information physicians should have available and informs interventions to support patients in meeting their information needs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. henselmans@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Henselmans
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Mark I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: van Berge Henegouwen
authors.forename: Hanneke C J M
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: de Haes
authors.forename: Mirjam A G
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sprangers
authors.forename: Ellen M A
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Smets
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003144:Communication Barriers; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires