Information and Participation Preferences Among Cancer Patients

TLDR

The study examined how much cancer patients want to be informed and involved in their care. The study surveyed 256 cancer patients using an Information Styles Questionnaire and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Patients largely preferred open communication and maximum information; younger patients were more likely to seek active participation and higher hope, whereas older patients tended toward a passive role.

Abstract

The present study explored the degree to which patients prefer to become informed about and to participate in their medical care. A total of 256 cancer patients completed an Information Styles Questionnaire and the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Patients' behavior and beliefs were found to incorporate the contemporary standard of informed and active involvement. Significant age trends were found: The younger the patients, the more closely they conformed to the well-informed participant standard of patient behavior; the older the patients, the more likely they were to prefer the older, nonparticipatory patient role. Patients who wanted to be involved in treatment decisions were significantly more hopeful than others. Most patients in each age group displayed high levels of hope, preferences for open communication about their illness, and a desire for maximum amounts of information.