Patient satisfaction with information on oral anticancer agent use

Abstract

Adequate information on oral anticancer agent (OACA) use is an essential element of optimal cancer care. The present study aimed to get insight into the experiences of patients with information on OACA treatment and their characteristics regarding information dissatisfaction. Patients of four Dutch university hospitals using OACA participated in this observational study and completed the Satisfaction with Information about Medicines Scale (SIMS), EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire‐C30, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, and Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire‐Specific. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with dissatisfaction with information. Patients (n = 208) using capecitabine (35%), lenalidomide (15%), imatinib (14%), temozolomide (12%), sunitinib (11%), thalidomide (5%), dasatinib (4%), erlotinib (2%), and nilotinib (2%) participated. Information on the following SIMS‐items was inadequate: how OACA elicit their effect, how long it takes before treatment works, how to conclude that treatment is effective, the risk of side effects and its management, interference with sex life, drowsiness, interference with other medication and alcohol and what to do in case of a missed dose. Younger age, hematological malignancy, dyspnoea, positive perception of consequences of the cancer, low perception of treatment control, and indifferent attitude towards OACA were associated with dissatisfaction with information. In conclusion, a considerable number of patients would have appreciated receiving more information on specific issues relating to the consequences of OACA treatment such as the effects and side effects of OACA and the interference of treatment with various aspects of their daily life. Oncologists, hematologists, lung‐oncologists and pharmacists may reconsider the provision of information on OACA treatment.

Needs for information and reasons for (non)adherence in chronic myeloid leukaemia: Be aware of social activities disturbing daily routines

“…Patients in the present study expressed several needs and wishes for information and communication. Side effects was the main topic patients wanted (more) information about, which is consistent with earlier studies in patients with cancer . Patients also expressed a wish for information on medical advances regarding CML treatment.…”

“…In addition, to support patients to adhere to their medication, adequate information and communication is essential . Despite the considerable attention medication adherence has received in recent years, the provision of information remains insufficient . Care may be improved by meeting it to the CML patients’ needs for information and communication.…”

Lack of patient education is risk factor of disease flare in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in China

“…Levels of patients’ satisfaction with information on treatment were evaluated using the Chinese version of the validated Satisfaction with Information about Medicines Scale (SIMS). It investigates whether patients feel that they have been given adequately informed on prescribed drugs [20]. The questionnaire comprises 18 items, each relating to a particular aspect of drug use.…”

Are illness perceptions, beliefs about medicines and Type D personality associated with medication adherence among thyroid cancer survivors? A study from the population-based PROFILES registry

“…The Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) was designed to assess personal beliefs about medicines and consists of two parts, BMQ-Specific and BMQ-general . It has been used among numerous populations including Dutch cancer patients (Boons et al, 2017). For this study, only the BMQ-specific part was used, which assesses patients' beliefs about the prescribed medication (prescribed after primary cancer treatment) for their personal use.…”