Meeting breast cancer patients' information needs during radiotherapy: what can we do to improve the information and support that is currently provided?

Corresponding Author

G.K.B. HALKETT phd , fir

Western Australian Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, WA

Georgia Halkett, Western Australia Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, Curtin University of Technology, Shenton Park Campus, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia (e-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this author

L.J. KRISTJANSON phd , m. nurs ,

L.J. KRISTJANSON phd , m. nurs

WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, WA

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E. LOBB phd , m. app sci ,

E. LOBB phd , m. app sci

Calvary Health Care, Sydney, NSW, and WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, and Curtin Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, WA, and WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Postgraduate Medicine, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA

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C. O'DRISCOLL phd , m . health manage , breast care nurse ,

C. O'DRISCOLL phd , m . health manage , breast care nurse

Breast Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA

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M. TAYLOR franzcr , radiation oncologist ,

M. TAYLOR franzcr , radiation oncologist

Radiation Oncology Department, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia

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N. SPRY franzcr , radiation oncologist ,

N. SPRY franzcr , radiation oncologist

Radiation Oncology Department, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia

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G.K.B. HALKETT phd , fir ,

Corresponding Author

G.K.B. HALKETT phd , fir

Western Australian Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, WA

L.J. KRISTJANSON phd , m. nurs ,

L.J. KRISTJANSON phd , m. nurs

WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, and Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, WA

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E. LOBB phd , m. app sci ,

E. LOBB phd , m. app sci

Search for more papers by this author

C. O'DRISCOLL phd , m . health manage , breast care nurse ,

C. O'DRISCOLL phd , m . health manage , breast care nurse

Breast Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA

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M. TAYLOR franzcr , radiation oncologist ,

M. TAYLOR franzcr , radiation oncologist

Radiation Oncology Department, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia

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N. SPRY franzcr , radiation oncologist ,

N. SPRY franzcr , radiation oncologist

Radiation Oncology Department, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia

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First published: 15 June 2010

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2354.2009.01090.x

Citations: 82

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Abstract

HALKETT G.K.B., KRISTJANSON L.J., LOBB E., O'DRISCOLL C., TAYLOR M. & SPRY N. (2010) European Journal of Cancer Care
Meeting breast cancer patients' information needs during radiotherapy: what can we do to improve the information and support that is currently provided?

Previous research has reported that patients require specific information relating to radiotherapy; however, these studies fail to describe patients' specific information needs over time. The aims of this study were to determine the specific information needs of breast cancer patients who are receiving radiotherapy and identify when patients prefer to receive specific information. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 34 early breast cancer patients and 14 health professionals. Seventeen patients were interviewed after treatment completion, and 17 patients were interviewed on at least two occasions during their radiotherapy. Grounded theory and the constant comparative method were used to analyse the data. Three main categories emerged from the data: ‘repertoire of information’, ‘amount of information relating specifically to radiotherapy’ and‘tailoring information to match patients’ radiotherapy journeys'. Patients' information needs were identified, and key messages and strategies to inform patients were described. This paper identifies breast cancer patient's specific information needs during radiotherapy and shows that patients' information needs are highest during their first appointment with their radiation oncologist and at the time of their planning appointment. The findings presented will enable health professionals to develop and refine their approaches to patient education in radiotherapy.

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Meeting breast cancer patients' information needs during radiotherapy: what can we do to improve the information and support that is currently provided?

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