Information needs during cancer care: Qualitative research with locally advanced cervical cancer patients in Brazil, China, Germany, & the US
Objective: This study aimed to identify the information needs and factors for making informed treatment decisions among a diverse group of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) patients. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with LACC patients of diverse demographic and socioeconomic...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Gynecologic Oncology Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352578923003387 |
| _version_ | 1827346005093253120 |
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| author | Elizabeth A. Szamreta Emily Mulvihill Katherine Aguinaga Kaitlan Amos Heather Zannit Ritu Salani |
| author_facet | Elizabeth A. Szamreta Emily Mulvihill Katherine Aguinaga Kaitlan Amos Heather Zannit Ritu Salani |
| author_sort | Elizabeth A. Szamreta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective: This study aimed to identify the information needs and factors for making informed treatment decisions among a diverse group of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) patients. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with LACC patients of diverse demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds within two years of their cancer diagnosis. Trained moderators asked open-ended questions about patients’ cancer journeys. Transcripts were analyzed using NVivo software to identify emergent themes. Results: In 2022, 92 LACC patients in the United States (n = 26), Brazil (n = 25), China (n = 25), and Germany (n = 16) participated in the study. Physicians were valued sources of information, providing patients with details on prognosis, treatment options, and side effects. While most patients trusted their physicians, one-third sought a second opinion to validate their diagnosis or find a more trusted physician.Most patients conducted their own research on treatment options, side effects, causes of LACC, symptoms, and others’ experiences. Challenges to information searches included understanding medical terms, finding relevant information, and evaluating source credibility.Overall, patients felt knowledgeable enough to participate in treatment decisions, either by accepting the recommended treatment or collaborating with their physicians. Nearly one-third of patients desired a more significant role in the decision-making process. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of physicians providing LACC patients comprehensive and understandable information, while involving them in the decision-making process. Understanding LACC patients’ motivations to seek information and their willingness to actively engage in treatment decisions can lead to improved patient satisfaction in their cancer care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T23:21:54Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7b7ef65a3ec44f93b8f4fde1f99bd341 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2352-5789 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T23:21:54Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gynecologic Oncology Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-7b7ef65a3ec44f93b8f4fde1f99bd3412024-02-21T05:28:48ZengElsevierGynecologic Oncology Reports2352-57892024-02-0151101321Information needs during cancer care: Qualitative research with locally advanced cervical cancer patients in Brazil, China, Germany, & the USElizabeth A. Szamreta0Emily Mulvihill1Katherine Aguinaga2Kaitlan Amos3Heather Zannit4Ritu Salani5Center for Observational and Real-World Evidence (CORE), Merck & Co. Inc, 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA; Corresponding author.Oracle Life Sciences, 2800 Rock Creek Pkwy, North Kansas City, MO 64117, USAOracle Life Sciences, 2800 Rock Creek Pkwy, North Kansas City, MO 64117, USAOracle Life Sciences, 2800 Rock Creek Pkwy, North Kansas City, MO 64117, USAOracle Life Sciences, 2800 Rock Creek Pkwy, North Kansas City, MO 64117, USADivision of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USAObjective: This study aimed to identify the information needs and factors for making informed treatment decisions among a diverse group of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) patients. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with LACC patients of diverse demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds within two years of their cancer diagnosis. Trained moderators asked open-ended questions about patients’ cancer journeys. Transcripts were analyzed using NVivo software to identify emergent themes. Results: In 2022, 92 LACC patients in the United States (n = 26), Brazil (n = 25), China (n = 25), and Germany (n = 16) participated in the study. Physicians were valued sources of information, providing patients with details on prognosis, treatment options, and side effects. While most patients trusted their physicians, one-third sought a second opinion to validate their diagnosis or find a more trusted physician.Most patients conducted their own research on treatment options, side effects, causes of LACC, symptoms, and others’ experiences. Challenges to information searches included understanding medical terms, finding relevant information, and evaluating source credibility.Overall, patients felt knowledgeable enough to participate in treatment decisions, either by accepting the recommended treatment or collaborating with their physicians. Nearly one-third of patients desired a more significant role in the decision-making process. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of physicians providing LACC patients comprehensive and understandable information, while involving them in the decision-making process. Understanding LACC patients’ motivations to seek information and their willingness to actively engage in treatment decisions can lead to improved patient satisfaction in their cancer care.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352578923003387Locally advanced cervical cancerInformation needsPatient engagementQualitative research |
| spellingShingle | Elizabeth A. Szamreta Emily Mulvihill Katherine Aguinaga Kaitlan Amos Heather Zannit Ritu Salani Information needs during cancer care: Qualitative research with locally advanced cervical cancer patients in Brazil, China, Germany, & the US Gynecologic Oncology Reports Locally advanced cervical cancer Information needs Patient engagement Qualitative research |
| title | Information needs during cancer care: Qualitative research with locally advanced cervical cancer patients in Brazil, China, Germany, & the US |
| title_full | Information needs during cancer care: Qualitative research with locally advanced cervical cancer patients in Brazil, China, Germany, & the US |
| title_fullStr | Information needs during cancer care: Qualitative research with locally advanced cervical cancer patients in Brazil, China, Germany, & the US |
| title_full_unstemmed | Information needs during cancer care: Qualitative research with locally advanced cervical cancer patients in Brazil, China, Germany, & the US |
| title_short | Information needs during cancer care: Qualitative research with locally advanced cervical cancer patients in Brazil, China, Germany, & the US |
| title_sort | information needs during cancer care qualitative research with locally advanced cervical cancer patients in brazil china germany amp the us |
| topic | Locally advanced cervical cancer Information needs Patient engagement Qualitative research |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352578923003387 |
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