Cancer information-seeking preferences linked to distinct patient experiences and differential satisfaction with cancer care

OBJECTIVE

True person-centered care (PCC) involves anticipating, responding to, and integrating patients' needs and preferences as the illness experience unfolds. PCC success rests, in part, on quality provider-patient communication and tailored information exchange. These processes can have profound effects on the patient experience, self-management and health outcomes including survival. Cancer information-seeking preferences (CISP) by patients are increasingly found to modulate illness and care processes. However, research has yet to document the CISP types and prevalence as well as their associations with satisfaction with care.

METHOD

Individuals (N = 2142) treated for cancer in the last 6 months completed the Ambulatory Oncology Patient Satisfaction Survey (AOPSS) and a CISP measure.

RESULTS

Whereas 60.3% (n = 1292) reported wanting to actively seek information about their cancer, a surprisingly high percentage (i.e., 39.7%; n = 850) did not. Men reported avoiding cancer information to a greater extent than women, χ² (4, N = 2108) = 12.00, p =  0.02. CISP were also differentially associated with 6 key domains of satisfaction, with intense seekers consistently being less satisfied.

CONCLUSION AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

These findings underscore how CISP can significantly affect patients' cancer experience as well as their care satisfaction.

Acceptance of a new non-invasive fetal monitoring system and attitude for telemedicine approaches in obstetrics: a case-control study

PURPOSE

Reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality is a major worldwide objective anchored in the millennium goals of the United Nations. To improve fetal and maternal care, a constant attempt to discover groundbreaking technologies is ongoing. One approach is the enhancement of non-invasive fetal ECG devices. Most importantly, acceptance of new technologies by pregnant women is a prerequisite for successful implementation.

METHODS

This questionnaire-based study conducted at the University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany between May and June 2017 evaluates pregnant women's attitudes towards a new device for fetal ECG monitoring and its potential home usage. The study population was questioned after exposure to the Parides/Atlantis prototype (Nemo Healthcare, Veldhoven, The Netherlands), whereas the maternal and gestational age-matched control group was left to envision telemedical topics.

RESULTS

The prototype and its potential usage in a clinical and telemedical setting was highly accepted, and its comfort and appearance satisfied participants. Its use caused significantly improved telemedical understanding as envision increased (p = 0.0015). Implementation and integration of telemedical devices into antenatal care was significantly preferred by the study group (p = 0.0011), though participants desire more specific features for their personal use. Optional home-based self-monitoring to reduce scheduled doctoral visits (p = 0.0004) as well as self-assessment prior to self-initiated, unscheduled consultation (p < 0.0001) could be affected positively by such a device. Furthermore, it could reduce face-to-face interaction with the care provider (p = 0.0163).

CONCLUSIONS

The positive feedback on remote self-monitoring might open options for a more "patient as partners" oriented prenatal care in the future. Safety and reliability remain a major issue. More comprehensive studies with new technologies are needed to diligently ensure quality of care. Finally, results for new technologies must be communicated to pregnant women for their acceptance and usage of new devices.