Cancer Information Needs in Rural Areas

Abstract

Although cancer presents obstacles for all who experience it, persons in rural communities must negotiate additional challenges. This study determined the cancer information (CI) needs and the CI-seeking behavior and preferences among rural-dwelling persons. Patients (N = 801) = 50 years of age seen in 36 rural Kansas primary care practices completed a Cancer Care Information Needs Survey (CCINS); physicians completed a cancer resource knowledge and preference survey. Of the 801 patients, 184 (23%) reported a CI need. Of these 184 patients, 45% reported either not discussing cancer or having insufficient discussion time with their physicians; 44% needed more information after consulting their physician. Patients more likely to report a CI need were young, female, Internet users, persons with a prior cancer diagnosis, and persons seeing male physicians or physicians in group/multispecialty practices. Patients and physicians were unfamiliar with services provided by national cancer organizations. Physicians are a primary CI source; however, patients who need CI report insufficient cancer discussion time with their physician and need more CI after consulting their physician. Promoting access to national CI sources could bridge the CI needs gap that exists in rural areas currently.

Antecedent Characteristics of Online Cancer Information Seeking Among Rural Breast Cancer Patients: An Application of the Cognitive-Social Health Information Processing (C-SHIP) Model

“…Previous research indicates that many rural patients are medically underserved (e.g., Engelman et al, 2005). They often do not have the same degree of access to comparable health services as breast cancer patients from more populated areas.…”

Supportive care needs of rural individuals living with cancer: A literature review

“…The most noteworthy finding in the reviewed studies was that participants face challenges related to service provision in their rural communities. Of the 23 studies reviewed, 10 articles revealed service provision challenges such as lack of access to cancer information, limited access to professional or hospital assistance, and isolation from professional support or other supportive services were enduring challenges (Clavarino et al, 2002;Duggleby et al, 2010;Engleman, Perpich, Peterson, Hall, & Ellerbeck, 2005;Fitch et al, 2003;Gray, James, Manthorne, Gould, & Fitch, 2004;McConigley et al, 2011;McGrath, 2001;Rogers-Clark, 2002;Wilkes, White, & Riordan, 2000;Wilkes, White, Mohan, & Beale, 2006).…”

Using health communication best practices to develop a web-based provider–patient communication aid: The CONNECT™ study

“…In general, physicians serve as the primary source of medical information [1,2] and the communication between doctor and patient is of critical importance to quality decision making [3][4][5], even although it can be challenging for both parties. Our previous research raised concerns about the adequacy of physician-patient communication regarding information relevant to patient decision making and values among patients with advanced cancer [6].…”