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Published in:

01-03-2012

The Experience of Symptoms and Information Needs of Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Authors: Gülsüm Nihal Güleser, Sultan Taşci, Bünyamin Kaplan

Published in: Journal of Cancer Education | Issue 1/2012

Abstract

The aim was to determine the symptoms and information needs of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT). The study population consisted of 345 RT patients accrued over 6 months. Patients' needs for information, sources of information, levels of satisfaction with information, symptoms and demographic factors were assessed by questionnaire and personal interview. Chi-square tests were used to test the correlation between patient variables and information needs/experiences. Most patients (80.9%) experienced RT side effects—fatigue, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite were the most frequent. More than half of the patients had not received information about RT; however, patients (83.2%) who had problems during the treatment wanted to have information (P < 0.05). The majority of the patients receiving information identified doctors as the primary source. The patients' prioritized needs for information were all the aspects of their diagnosis and treatment and side effects of RT. Overall, the results indicate that most patients require information about their treatment and also experienced a variety of symptoms.

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Title: The Experience of Symptoms and Information Needs of Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy
Authors: Gülsüm Nihal Güleser
Sultan Taşci
Bünyamin Kaplan
Publication date: 01-03-2012
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Journal of Cancer Education / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 0885-8195
Electronic ISSN: 1543-0154
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-011-0254-7

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