title: Information needs of patients with melanoma: a nursing challenge.
abstract: Evidence continues to suggest that patients with cancer require more information about their disease and its consequences. To evaluate the information needs of patients with advanced melanoma compared to patients with other malignancies, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 221 unselected patients from the oncology department of a dermatologic hospital In Italy. Patients completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System and the Need Evaluation Questionnaire, two standardized tools for symptoms and psychosocial needs assessment. Results highlight that patients with advanced melanoma have, in general, a higher need for information compared to patients with other cancers, even if they report fewer symptoms. Future studies on the needs of patients with melanoma may contribute to tailored and more satisfactory patient-centered care. Recommendations for clinical practice include that particular attention should be paid by the oncology team to the need for a strong therapeutic relationship.
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research Unit, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, Rome, Italy. silvia.passalacqua@libero.it
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Passalacqua
authors.forename: Zorika Christiana
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: di Rocco
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Pietro
authors.forename: Aurelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mozzetta
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tabolli
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scoppola
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marchetti
authors.forename: Damiano
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abeni
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged