abstract: Informational needs of gynecologic cancer survivors

Abstract:

Objectives

In preparation for the launch of a gynecologic oncology survivorship program, this study looked at the informational needs of women with gynecologic cancers. Although studies have touched on some of these needs, no published literature has investigated the comprehensive informational needs of gynecologic oncology patients within all sites of gynecologic cancers.

Methods

A needs assessment, consisting of a self-administered questionnaire, was conducted at an ambulatory gynecologic oncology clinic from August 2010 to March 2011. This study investigated the informational needs of patients, including the importance of information, the amount desired, and the preferred mode of delivery. Informational needs were grouped into six domains: medical, practical, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual.

Results

185 surveys were analyzed and the majority of the respondents were Caucasian (77%) and over the age of 50 (66%). Forty-nine percent of respondents were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and there was an even distribution between newly diagnosed patients (38%), those in long-term follow-up (27%), and those with recurrent disease (37%). Overall, respondents placed more importance on receiving medical information (P < 0.01). The three preferred education modalities were; pamphlets, one-on-one discussions with health care professionals and websites. Age, education, and disease site were associated with differing informational needs.

Conclusions

This study has highlighted the most important informational needs of patients with gynecologic malignancies in our patient population. This information may guide the development of clinical survivorship programs and educational resources for patients in the future.

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Highlights

► We report the results of a needs assessment that was done to better understand the informational needs of gynecologic cancer survivors.
► Increasing responsiveness to survivor needs can greatly affect health outcomes and patient satisfaction.
► We did this to launch a gynecologic cancer survivorship program that is responsive to survivor needs.

Cochrane Evidence Updates - Information interventions for orienting patients and their carers to cancer care facilities (including professional commentaries)

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:
This review has demonstrated the feasibility and some potential benefits of orientation interventions. There was a low level of evidence suggesting that orientation interventions can reduce distress in patients. However, most of the other outcomes remain inconclusive (patient knowledge recall/ satisfaction). The majority of studies were subject to high risk of bias, and were likely to be insufficiently powered. Further well conducted and powered RCTs are required to provide evidence for determining the most appropriate intensity, nature, mode and resources for such interventions. Patient and carer-focused outcomes should be included.