title: Information needs of female Italian breast cancer patients during their first oncological consultation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Questions asked by patients during consultations reflect their most immediate information needs. The aim of this study is to observe the frequency and type of questions asked by Italian breast cancer patients and to explore associated factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Breast cancer patients at their first meeting with the oncologist were asked to complete five questionnaires (STAI-X1, PHQ-9, GHQ-12, CPS and DSES) before the consultation and three other questionnaires (PEI, SDM-Q, SWD) after. Consultations were audio taped and subsequently analyzed for the content and number of questions to identify patients' information requests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients asked an average of 18 questions, mainly about illness management: patients who were prescribed chemo-therapy asked more questions (t = -3.17, dof = 23.45, p < 0.01). Other factors related to a greater number of questions were younger age (r = -0.24, p = 0.05), being employed (t-test = 0.32; p = 0.04), and longer consultation length (r = 0.47, p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Italian breast cancer patients asked on average more questions than in other countries. Knowledge of the factors associated with information needs can contribute to achieve a major involvement and consequently a better quality of patient-centered care.
authors: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Italy.
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Goss
authors: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Deledda
authors: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Italy. Electronic address: alessandro.bottacini@univr.it.
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Bottacini
authors: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Italy.
authors: Federica
authors: F
authors: Chiodera
authors: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Italy.
authors: Maria Angela
authors: MA
authors: Mazzi
authors: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Italy.
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Ballarin
authors: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Italy.
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Bighelli
authors: O.U. of Oncology d.O., Ospedale Civile Maggiore, Hospital Trust of Verona, Italy.
authors: Annamaria
authors: A
authors: Molino
authors: O.U. of Oncology d.O., Ospedale Civile Maggiore, Hospital Trust of Verona, Italy.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Fiorio
authors: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Italy.
authors: Christa
authors: C
authors: Zimmermann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Breast cancer; Information needs; Oncology patient; Patient participation