Informational needs of gastrointestinal oncology patients.
OBJECTIVE
In response to the dearth of consumer health information for patients with gastrointestinal cancers, this study examined the informational needs of these patients to build a plan for future resource development. Although studies have examined informational needs of some such cancers, no published literature has investigated the comprehensive informational needs across all sites of gastrointestinal cancer.


METHODS
A cross-sectional needs assessment comprising a self-administered questionnaire was conducted at an ambulatory gastrointestinal oncology clinic in Toronto, Canada. Patient informational needs were measured, including importance of information, amount desired and preferred mode of delivery. Informational needs were grouped into six domains: medical, practical, physical, emotional, social and spiritual.


RESULTS
Eighty-two surveys were analysed. The majority of the respondents were male (53.8%), over the age of 50 (77.8%), and born outside of Canada (51.9%). While many did not speak English as a child (46.3%), and do not speak English at home (22.2%), nearly all indicated comfort with receiving health information in English (97.5%). The majority of respondents were college educated (79.3%) and married (73%). Multiple cancer types were reported; the most common being colorectal (39%), followed by pancreatic (12%) and cancers of the gallbladder or bile duct (12%). Overall, respondents placed highest importance on medical information (P < 0.001). Preferred education modalities were pamphlets, websites and one-on-one discussions with health-care professionals.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the principal informational needs of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies, along with preferred modality for information delivery. This information will guide the development of educational resources for future patients.
Patient & Education Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Janet
J
Papadakos
Palliative Care, Clinical Programs Quality Initiatives, Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Sara
S
Urowitz
Patient & Education Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
Craig
C
Olmstead
Patient & Education Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Department of Radiation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Audrey
A
Jusko Friedman
Patient & Education Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Faculty of Medicine, Undergraduate Medical Education Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Jason
J
Zhu
Patient & Education Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Cancer Education, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Cancer Survivorship Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Pamela
P
Catton
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
gastrointestinal; informational needs; oncology; patient education