Informational Needs of Patients with Cancer: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Abstract

Section TitleOne of the most important needs of patients with cancer is informational needs. Getting relevant information about the disease can lead to a proper decision making, better response to treatment, lower levels of anxiety, and higher levels of quality of life. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the informational needs of patients with cancer in southeast Iran. Materials and Methods:This conventional qualitative content analysis was done using a descriptive-explorative design. Data collection was done through conducting deep semi-structured interviews from September 2017 to March 2018 in cancer treatment centers of Kerman University of Medical Science, Iran. Data saturation was achieved after interviewing with 13 patients during 15 interviews. The patients were asked to narrate their experience about informational needs of cancer patients. The following concepts were considered: the unit of analysis, meaning unit, condensation, code, sub-category, category, and main category. Results:The results of the present study showed that informational needs of these patients could be categorized under one main category called awareness-oriented needs, including three subcategories. These subcategories included lack of knowledge about the nature of the disease, inappropriate control of the disease due to lack of knowledge, and lack of knowledge about cancer treatment methods. Conclusion:Results showed that patients with cancer tended to know what is the cancer and the ways of cancer treatment and complications. Therefore, it is suggested to perform further studies cultivating the awareness of cancer patients in these areas. Therefore So, It should be noted that designing and implementation of this needs assessment provide a comprehensive way to consult and collaborate with health care professionals, patients, and their families.

The effect of positive psychotherapy on the meaning of life in patients with cancer: A randomized clinical trial

“…(2015),[70] Haidarabadi (2014),[71] Taimory et al .,(2015)[72] Khodabakhsh et al .,(2015)[73] Yazdanbakhsh et al . (2016),[74] Lotfi Kashani et al (2014),[75] and khoshnood et al ., (2019)[76] are also consistent with the results of this study on the effect of positive psychotherapy education on the meaning in life of patients with cancer.…”

Information Needs of Breast Cancer Patients Attending Care at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital: A Descriptive Study

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“…In Iran, after heart diseases, accidents and other natural phenomena, cancer is the third most common cause of death (Mousavi, Pourfeizi, & Dastgiri, 2010), with an increasing trend in children (Doumit, Rahi, Saab, & Majdalani, 2019; Rassouli et al, 2019). This disease causes different complications and affects a wide age range from children to adults (Khoshnood, Dehghan, Iranmanesh, & Rayyani, 2019).…”