A multi‐centre survey of New Zealand cancer patients' preferences for radiation treatment information

Abstract Introduction Patients undergoing radiation therapy have a diverse range of information needs, however, there is a lack of data specific to the needs of New Zealand patients. This cross‐sectional survey captured New Zealand cancer patients' preferences for radiation treatment informatio...

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Main Authors: Alannah Flockton, Aidan Leong, Daniel Gilfillan, Peter Larsen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-03-01
Series:Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.745
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author Alannah Flockton
Aidan Leong
Daniel Gilfillan
Peter Larsen
author_facet Alannah Flockton
Aidan Leong
Daniel Gilfillan
Peter Larsen
author_sort Alannah Flockton
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Patients undergoing radiation therapy have a diverse range of information needs, however, there is a lack of data specific to the needs of New Zealand patients. This cross‐sectional survey captured New Zealand cancer patients' preferences for radiation treatment information. Preferences were assessed regarding the scope of information needs and the satisfaction with which these needs were being met. Methods A custom survey was offered to 275 eligible patients undergoing radiation treatment at six of 10 departments across New Zealand over a 2‐day period. The survey captured patient demographics as well as information needs and satisfaction across five distinct domains using Likert scales and one free‐text question. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and directed content analysis. Results Over 80% of participants rated all information domains as extremely or very important. Over 90% of participants were extremely satisfied or very well satisfied in four of the five domains. Information on what happens after radiation treatment had the lowest satisfaction at 78%. No demographic subcategories were clearly associated with differences in information needs or satisfaction. 59% of participants indicated their willingness to engage in online education. The qualitative analysis strongly corroborated the quantitative results. Conclusion The New Zealand cancer patients surveyed in this study demonstrated high levels of importance and satisfaction with the information provided during radiation treatment. Information on what happens after completing radiation treatment had the lowest satisfaction. These findings support further exploration of New Zealand cancer patients' information needs following radiation treatment as well as strategies to address them.
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spelling doaj.art-9adce8ca440048868a68a755b6ff620c2024-03-08T05:32:44ZengWileyJournal of Medical Radiation Sciences2051-38952051-39092024-03-01711919910.1002/jmrs.745A multi‐centre survey of New Zealand cancer patients' preferences for radiation treatment informationAlannah Flockton0Aidan Leong1Daniel Gilfillan2Peter Larsen3Department of Radiation Therapy University of Otago Wellington New ZealandDepartment of Radiation Therapy University of Otago Wellington New ZealandDepartment of Radiation Therapy University of Otago Wellington New ZealandDepartment of Radiation Therapy University of Otago Wellington New ZealandAbstract Introduction Patients undergoing radiation therapy have a diverse range of information needs, however, there is a lack of data specific to the needs of New Zealand patients. This cross‐sectional survey captured New Zealand cancer patients' preferences for radiation treatment information. Preferences were assessed regarding the scope of information needs and the satisfaction with which these needs were being met. Methods A custom survey was offered to 275 eligible patients undergoing radiation treatment at six of 10 departments across New Zealand over a 2‐day period. The survey captured patient demographics as well as information needs and satisfaction across five distinct domains using Likert scales and one free‐text question. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and directed content analysis. Results Over 80% of participants rated all information domains as extremely or very important. Over 90% of participants were extremely satisfied or very well satisfied in four of the five domains. Information on what happens after radiation treatment had the lowest satisfaction at 78%. No demographic subcategories were clearly associated with differences in information needs or satisfaction. 59% of participants indicated their willingness to engage in online education. The qualitative analysis strongly corroborated the quantitative results. Conclusion The New Zealand cancer patients surveyed in this study demonstrated high levels of importance and satisfaction with the information provided during radiation treatment. Information on what happens after completing radiation treatment had the lowest satisfaction. These findings support further exploration of New Zealand cancer patients' information needs following radiation treatment as well as strategies to address them.https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.745Cancer patients' preferencesinformation needsmixed methodsradiation treatment
spellingShingle Alannah Flockton
Aidan Leong
Daniel Gilfillan
Peter Larsen
A multi‐centre survey of New Zealand cancer patients' preferences for radiation treatment information
Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences
Cancer patients' preferences
information needs
mixed methods
radiation treatment
title A multi‐centre survey of New Zealand cancer patients' preferences for radiation treatment information
title_full A multi‐centre survey of New Zealand cancer patients' preferences for radiation treatment information
title_fullStr A multi‐centre survey of New Zealand cancer patients' preferences for radiation treatment information
title_full_unstemmed A multi‐centre survey of New Zealand cancer patients' preferences for radiation treatment information
title_short A multi‐centre survey of New Zealand cancer patients' preferences for radiation treatment information
title_sort multi centre survey of new zealand cancer patients preferences for radiation treatment information
topic Cancer patients' preferences
information needs
mixed methods
radiation treatment
url https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.745
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