This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Iconomou, G. Articles by Kalofonos, H. P Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Iconomou, G. Articles by Kalofonos, H. P Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Information needs and awareness of diagnosis in patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy: a report from Greece

Anna Viha

Angelos Koutras

Apostolos G Vagenakis

Department of Medicine

Haralabos P Kalofonos

Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, University of Patras Medical School, University Hospital, Patras

This study assessed the information needs of Greek cancer patients and examined whether awareness of diagnosis had any impact on patients. One hundred patients were interviewed about overall and specific information needs, satisfaction, emotional distress, and quality of life. Patients exhibited a great desire for information overall. The need to have more information was high especially regarding the aftermath of chemotherapy, prognosis, how chemotherapy worked, and diagnosis. Patients were more satisfied with care but less satisfied with the information received. Only 37% knew they had cancer, especially the younger, the better educated, and those with breast cancer. Awareness was not related to satisfaction, emotional distress, or quality of life. Our findings suggest that Greek cancer patients need more factual information about their condition and management. Greek oncologists may feel freer to inform their patients about the diagnosis and other issues following their judgement, rather than employing the policy of concealing the truth.

Key Words: awareness of diagnosis • cancer patients • information needs

Palliative Medicine, Vol. 16, No. 4, 315-321 (2002)
DOI: 10.1191/0269216302pm574oa


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Andruccioli, A. Montesi, S. Di Leo, D. Sarti, P. Turci, C. Pittureri, M. C. Monterubbianesi, T. Parma, and W. Raffaeli Illness Awareness in Hospice: Application of a Semi-Structured Interview American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, October 1, 2009; 26(5): 384 - 391. [Abstract] [PDF]

				O Corli, G Apolone, M Pizzuto, L Cesaris, A Cozzolino, L Orsi, and L Enterri Illness awareness in terminal cancer patients: an Italian study Palliative Medicine, June 1, 2009; 23(4): 354 - 359. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. Hancock, J. M Clayton, S. M Parker, S. Wal der, P. N Butow, S. Carrick, D. Currow, D. Ghersi, P. Glare, R. Hagerty, et al. Truth-telling in discussing prognosis in advanced life-limiting illnesses: a systematic review Palliative Medicine, September 1, 2007; 21(6): 507 - 517. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Iconomou, A. Viha, A. Koutras, I. Koukourikou, V. Mega, T. Makatsoris, A. Onyenadum, K. Assimakopoulos, A. G. Vagenakis, and H. P. Kalofonos Impact of providing booklets about chemotherapy to newly presenting patients with cancer: a randomized controlled trial Ann. Onc., March 1, 2006; 17(3): 515 - 520. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. G. Hagerty, P. N. Butow, P. M. Ellis, S. Dimitry, and M. H. N. Tattersall Communicating prognosis in cancer care: a systematic review of the literature Ann. Onc., July 1, 2005; 16(7): 1005 - 1053. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]