Esophageal cancer patients' information management: cross-cultural differences between Dutch and Italian patients in perceived quality of provided oncological information

Information Needs in Patients with Potentially Curable Gastroesophageal Cancer

INTRODUCTION

Gastroesophageal cancer patients' information needs remain understudied, despite their complex treatment trajectories.

METHODS

This study examined the (i) information needs of patients with or without postoperative complications, (ii) information needs of male and female patients, and (iii) the association between information needs and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) following gastroesophageal cancer surgery. Patients completed the EORTC-QLQ-INFO25, QLQ-C30, and QLQ-OG25 questionnaires before and after curative surgery. Five information needs domains were investigated: information about the disease, about treatments, about medical tests, about things patients can do to help themselves, and overall helpfulness. Additionally, HR-QoL domains global health status, eating restrictions, and anxiety were explored.

RESULTS

A total of 132 patients completed the questionnaires at baseline, 216 patients at 6-12 months, 184 patients at 18-24 months, and 163 patients at 3-5 years post-operation. There were no significant differences in information needs between patients with or without complications or between male and female patients. Patients with a higher global health status found the information more helpful at 6-12 months (p < 0.001), 18-24 months (p < 0.001), and 3-5 years (p < 0.001) postoperatively, as did patients who experienced more anxiety at 18-24 months (p = 0.009) and 3-5 years (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Gastroesophageal cancer patients, regardless of sex or postoperative complications, have consistent information needs, yet those with higher global health status and elevated anxiety levels find the information particularly helpful, emphasizing the importance of tailored communication strategies.

Design and evaluation of a theory-based intervention of knowledge and perceptions to improve self-care amongst relatives of esophageal cancer patients: A randomised controlled trial study protocol

•

Emphasis on training programs to increase self-care behaviors.

•

The EPPM can successfully predict behavioral intention and self-care behaviors.

•

The EPPM can consider as a framework for developing educational interventions.

Background

Esophageal cancer, as one of the most unknown cancers, is largely preventable through lifestyle modifications. In this study, a theory-based intervention will be designed and evaluated on the knowledge and perceptions of relatives of patients with cancer to improve their self-care.

Methods

This research will be carried out in two phases in Golestan province, located in north of Iran. A researcher-made questionnaire will be designed based on the extended parallel process model using a detailed literature review and the panel of experts' opinions. This questionnaire will aim to investigate the levels of knowledge, perception, and practice of respondents regarding esophageal cancer. Later, a comprehensive program will be designed over esophageal cancer self-care based on the information collected from the questionnaire, the information obtained from detailed literature review, and the experts' opinions. The second phase of the study will include implementation of an educational intervention with pretest–posttest design using the intervention and control groups to measure the effectiveness of this educational program on the knowledge, perception, and practice of the patients' relatives.

Discussion

The findings will provide valuable evidences regarding the efficacy of the educational intervention and will help the participants to improve their self-care behaviours. Consequently, policy-makers and planners can use the results to set appropriate policies.