Communicating With Realism and Hope: Incurable Cancer Patients' Views on the Disclosure of Prognosis

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1278-1288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca G. Hagerty ◽  
Phyllis N. Butow ◽  
Peter M. Ellis ◽  
Elizabeth A. Lobb ◽  
Susan C. Pendlebury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Postal Survey ◽  
Prognostic Information ◽  
Incurable Cancer ◽  
Individualized Care ◽  
The Family ◽  
Individualized Approach ◽  
Seeking Behavior

PurposeTo identify preferences for the process of prognostic discussion among patients with incurable metastatic cancer and variables associated with those preferences.Patients and MethodsOne hundred twenty-six (58%) of 218 patients invited onto the study participated. Eligible patients were the consecutive metastatic cancer patients of 30 oncologists, who were diagnosed within 6 weeks to 6 months before recruitment, over 18 years of age, and without known mental illness. Patients completed a postal survey measuring patient preferences for the manner of delivery of prognostic information, including how doctors might instill hope.ResultsNinety-eight percent of patients wanted their doctor to be realistic, provide an opportunity to ask questions, and acknowledge them as an individual when discussing prognosis. Doctor behaviors rated the most hope giving included offering the most up to date treatment (90%), appearing to know all there is to know about the patient's cancer (87%), and saying that pain will be controlled (87%). The majority of patients indicated that the doctor appearing to be nervous or uncomfortable (91%), giving the prognosis to the family first (87%), or using euphemisms (82%) would not facilitate hope. Factor analysis revealed six general styles and three hope factors; the most strongly endorsed styles were realism and individualized care and the expert/positive/collaborative approach. A range of demographic, psychological, and disease factors were associated with preferred general and hope-giving styles, including anxiety, information-seeking behavior, expected survival, and age.ConclusionThe majority of patients preferred a realistic and individualized approach from the cancer specialist and detailed information when discussing prognosis.

scholarly journals Cancer patients’ information seeking behavior related to online electronic healthcare records

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 146045822110247
Author(s):  
Hanife Rexhepi ◽  
Isto Huvila ◽  
Rose-Mharie Åhlfeldt ◽  
Åsa Cajander
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Seeking Behavior ◽  
Information Horizons ◽  
Health Information Sources

Patients’ online access to their EHR together with the rapid proliferation of medical information on the Internet has changed how patients use information to learn about their health. Patients’ tendency to turn to the Internet to find information about their health and care is well-documented. However, little is known about patients’ information seeking behavior when using online EHRs. By using information horizons as an analytical tool this paper aims to investigate the information behavior of cancer patients who have chosen to view their EHRs (readers) and to those who have not made that option (non-readers). Thirty interviews were conducted with patients. Based on information horizons, it seems that non-reading is associated with living in a narrower information world in comparison to readers. The findings do not suggest that the smallness would be a result of active avoidance of information, or that it would be counterproductive for the patients. The findings suggest, however, that EHRs would benefit from comprehensive linking to authoritative health information sources to help users to understand their contents. In parallel, healthcare professionals should be more aware of their personal role as a key source of health information to those who choose not to read their EHRs.

Health Information Seeking Behavior of Breast Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramin Ravangard ◽  
Kefayat Chaman-Ara ◽  
Elham Bahrami ◽  
mohammad amin bahrami
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Health Information Seeking ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cochrane Database ◽  
Health Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Seeking Behavior

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer of women worldwide. This study was aimed to review systematically the current literature on the health information seeking behavior of breast cancer patients and to conduct the qualitative analysis of findings. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, CINHAL, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane database of systematic review, PSYCINO, SID and Magiran databases. A total of 60 articles included in the study. Findings of all studies were extracted, the content analysis was conducted and a series of themes and categories were identified Results: 13 themes were identified in the published studies. The related findings of all themes are presented and discussed. Conclusion: We summarized and classified all the findings of studies on the health information seeking behavior of breast cancer patients. Our classification can be used for the comprehensive examination of the breast cancer patients’ health information seeking behavior to develop improvement policies.

American Society of Clinical Oncology Statement: Toward Individualized Care for Patients With Advanced Cancer

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 755-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey M. Peppercorn ◽  
Thomas J. Smith ◽  
Paul R. Helft ◽  
David J. DeBono ◽  
Scott R. Berry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Incurable Cancer ◽  
Course Of Illness ◽  
Quality Cancer Care ◽  
Individualized Care ◽  
Individualized Approach ◽  
American Society ◽  
Face Complex ◽  
Preferences For Care

Patients with advanced incurable cancer face complex physical, psychological, social, and spiritual consequences of disease and its treatment. Care for these patients should include an individualized assessment of the patient's needs, goals, and preferences throughout the course of illness. Consideration of disease-directed therapy, symptom management, and attention to quality of life are important aspects of quality cancer care. However, emerging evidence suggests that, too often, realistic conversations about prognosis, the potential benefits and limitations of disease-directed therapy, and the potential role of palliative care, either in conjunction with or as an alternative to disease-directed therapy, occur late in the course of illness or not at all. This article addresses the American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO's) vision for improved communication with and decision making for patients with advanced cancer. This statement advocates an individualized approach to discussing and providing disease-directed and supportive care options for patients with advanced cancer throughout the continuum of care. Building on ASCO's prior statements on end-of-life care (1998) and palliative care (2009), this article reviews the evidence for improved patient care in advanced cancer when patients' individual goals and preferences for care are discussed. It outlines the goals for individualized care, barriers that currently limit realization of this vision, and possible strategies to overcome these barriers that can improve care consistent with the goals of our patients and evidence-based medical practice.

Breast cancer patients' information needs and information-seeking behavior in a developing country

The Breast ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 156-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalil Kimiafar ◽  
Masoumeh Sarbaz ◽  
Soudabeh Shahid Sales ◽  
Mojtaba Esmaeili ◽  
Zohre Javame Ghazvini
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Information Seeking Behavior ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Seeking Behavior

Cancer Patient Preferences for Communication of Prognosis in the Metastatic Setting

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1721-1730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca G. Hagerty ◽  
Phyllis N. Butow ◽  
Peter A. Ellis ◽  
Elizabeth A. Lobb ◽  
Susan Pendlebury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Metastatic Disease ◽  
New South ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Prognostic Information ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Average Survival ◽  
Metastatic Setting

PurposeTo identify preferences for and predictors of prognostic information among patients with incurable metastatic cancer.Patients and MethodsOne hundred twenty-six metastatic cancer patients seeing 30 oncologists at 12 outpatient clinics in New South Wales, Australia, participated in the study. Patients were diagnosed with incurable metastatic disease within 6 weeks to 6 months of recruitment. Patients completed a survey eliciting their preferences for prognostic information, including type, quantity, mode, and timing of presentation; anxiety and depression levels; and information and involvement preferences.ResultsMore than 95% of patients wanted information about side effects, symptoms, and treatment options. The majority wanted to know longest survival time with treatment (85%), 5-year survival rates (80%), and average survival (81%). Words and numbers were preferred over pie charts or graphs. Fifty-nine percent (59%) wanted to discuss expected survival when first diagnosed with metastatic disease. Thirty-eight percent and 44% wanted to negotiate when expected survival and dying, respectively, were discussed. Patients with higher depression scores were more likely to want to know shortest time to live without treatment (P = .047) and average survival (P = .049). Lower depression levels were significantly associated with never wanting to discuss expected survival (P = .03). Patients with an expected survival of years were more likely to want to discuss life expectancy when first diagnosed with metastases (P = .02).ConclusionMost metastatic cancer patients want detailed prognostic information but prefer to negotiate the extent, format, and timing of the information they receive from their oncologists.

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