McPherson CJ, Higginson IJ, Hearn J, et al.
Journal of public health medicine. Date of publication 2001 Sep 1;volume 23(3):227-34.
1. J Public Health Med. 2001 Sep;23(3):227-34.
Effective methods of giving information in cancer: a systematic literature review
of randomized controlled trials.
McPherson CJ(1), Higginson IJ, Hearn J.
Author information:
(1)Department of Palliative Care and Policy, GKT School of Medicine and St
Christopher's Hospice, London. christine.mcpherson@kcl.ac.uk
There is increasing evidence to suggest that patients with cancer require more
information about their disease and its consequences than they receive. In an
attempt to address these needs, a variety of methods have been used to facilitate
the passage of information from health professionals and other cancer information
sources to cancer patients and their families. These include written material,
telephone help-lines, teaching and audiovisual aids. Although these efforts have
been well received, little attention has been given to the effectiveness of the
methods employed. The aims of this paper were to systematically review randomized
controlled trials that have evaluated methods of information-giving to cancer
patients and their families. Relevant literature was identified through
computerized databases, Internet cancer sites and bibliography searches. Multiple
reviewers independently analysed the methodological quality of the papers
according to agreed criteria. From this process, 10 studies were identified.
Interventions ranged from written information to audiotapes, audiovisual aids and
interactive medium. Individually tailored methods such as patient care records
and patient educational programmes were also reviewed. The evidence indicated
that the interventions had positive effects on a number of patient outcomes, such
as knowledge and recall, symptom management, satisfaction, preferences, health
care utilization and affective states. This was above and beyond the usual care
provision. In the majority of studies the interventions had no effect on
psychological indices. Furthermore, the review highlighted that certain methods
should be based on individual preferences for information rather than uniformly
administered.
PMID: 11585196 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
