The relation between information provision and health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression among cancer survivors: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Providing information that is congruent with patients’ needs is an important determinant for patient satisfaction and might also affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and anxiety and depression levels of cancer survivors.Design: The authors systematically reviewed the available literature on the relationship between information provision and HRQoL, anxiety and depression. A PubMed literature search for original articles published until February 2010 was carried out. Twenty-five articles, all conducted between 1996 and 2009, which met the predefined inclusion criteria, were subjected to a quality checklist.Results: Satisfied patients, patients with fulfilled information needs, and patients who experience less information barriers, in general have a better HRQoL and less anxiety and depression. Out of eight intervention studies that aimed to improve information provision, only one showed a positive association with better HRQoL.Conclusion: Health care providers must pay more attention to patient-centred information provision. Additional research is needed to make definitive conclusions about information interventions as most results did not reach statistical significance due to methodological constraints. The quick development of the relatively young research field of patient-reported outcomes in cancer survivorship will make it possible to conduct better quality studies in the future.

Endometrial cancer survivors are unsatisfied with received information about diagnosis, treatment and follow-up: A study from the population-based PROFILES registry

“…Appropriate information given to cancer survivors about their diagnosis, treatment, possible long-term and late effects and referral services can result in better informed decision making, lower levels of distress, and improved satisfaction with care and sense of control [4][5][6][7]. Cancer survivors who are satisfied with the information they received have a better health related quality of life, and lower levels of depression and anxiety [8]. Studies suggest that most cancer patients want as much information as possible [7,9,10].…”

Quality of life in breast cancer: the benefits of pet ownership and participation in leisure activities

“…For the World Health Organization, the term QoL is defined as an individual's perception of his or her life position, in the context of culture, value system in which they live, regarding their goals, expectations, standards and concerns 2 . So, it is understood that several specific factors may change the QoL of a cancer patient, in addition to the tumor itself, such as the patient's ability to cope with the illness and the presence or absence of a supportive environment during the period 3,4 . Based on this background, and on the many factors that can cover QoL, it is believed that the QoL of patients with breast cancer can benefit from pet ownership, as well as those benefits are reported in several populations [5][6][7] .…”

Patient information in stem cell transplantation from the perspective of health care professionals: A survey from the Nurses Group of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

“…Delivery of patient information can contribute to reducing patients' worries, improve medication adherence, prevent treatment-related complications, enable patients to take a more active role in decisionmaking and enhance their self-management. 1 Importantly, a recent study involving 3066 HSCT long-term survivors highlighted that lack of patient knowledge is a predictor for non-adherence to the recommended care after HSCT, which might lead to serious complications after treatment. 2 Although health care professionals (HCPs) are obliged to inform and educate patients about their disease and treatment and what to expect during and after HSCT, there is little known about HCPs perceptions regarding the practice of information dissemination.…”