Sarah Maria Halbach1, Nicole Ernstmann2, Christoph Kowalski3, Holger Pfaff4, Timo-Kolja Pförtner4, Simone Wesselmann3, Anna Enders4. 1. Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science (IMVR), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Germany. Electronic address: sarah.halbach@uk-koeln.de. 2. Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Germany. 3. German Cancer Society e.V. (DKG), Berlin, Germany. 4. Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science (IMVR), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate unmet information needs in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients over the course of cancer treatment and its association with health literacy. METHODS: We present results from a prospective, multicenter cohort study (PIAT). Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients (N=1060) were surveyed directly after breast cancer surgery, 10 and 40 weeks later. Pooled linear regression modeling was employed analyzing changes in unmet information needs over time and its association with health literacy. RESULTS: Unmet information needs on side effects and medication and medical examination results and treatment options were high and increased during the first 10 weeks after breast cancer surgery. Considering health promotion and social issues, unmet information needs started high and decreased during post-treatment. Patients with limited health literacy had higher unmet information needs. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a mismatch in information provision and breast cancer patients' information needs. Patients with limited health literacy may be at a distinct disadvantage in having their information needs met over the course of breast cancer treatment. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Strategies are needed to reduce unmet information needs in breast cancer patients considering treatment-phase and health literacy and thereby enable them to better cope with their diseases.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate unmet information needs in newly diagnosed breast cancerpatients over the course of cancer treatment and its association with health literacy. METHODS: We present results from a prospective, multicenter cohort study (PIAT). Newly diagnosed breast cancerpatients (N=1060) were surveyed directly after breast cancer surgery, 10 and 40 weeks later. Pooled linear regression modeling was employed analyzing changes in unmet information needs over time and its association with health literacy. RESULTS: Unmet information needs on side effects and medication and medical examination results and treatment options were high and increased during the first 10 weeks after breast cancer surgery. Considering health promotion and social issues, unmet information needs started high and decreased during post-treatment. Patients with limited health literacy had higher unmet information needs. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a mismatch in information provision and breast cancerpatients' information needs. Patients with limited health literacy may be at a distinct disadvantage in having their information needs met over the course of breast cancer treatment. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Strategies are needed to reduce unmet information needs in breast cancerpatients considering treatment-phase and health literacy and thereby enable them to better cope with their diseases.
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