Patients' challenges, competencies, and perceived support in dealing with information needs – A qualitative analysis in patients with breast and gynecological cancer. Issue 7 (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fahmer, Natascha; Faller, Hermann; Engehausen, Dirk; Hass, Holger G.; Reuss-Borst, Monika; Duelli, Kristin; Wöckel, Achim; Heuschmann, Peter U.; Meng, Karin
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 105:Issue 7(2022)
• Page Start: 2382
• Page End: 2390
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Patient competence -- Information needs -- Cancer -- Health literacy; Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.12.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Highlights: Breast or gynecological cancer patients' face challenges regarding information needs. Their health literacy reflects an interplay of challenges, competencies and support. Individuality of the interplay highlights the relevance of needs-based care. Promoting an active patient role and patient-centered communication seems crucial. Clinicians must be aware of their influence on patients' health literacy. Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to investigate challenges, competencies, and support in breast and gynecological cancer patients when dealing with information needs and how health literacy as an interplay of these factors might be improved. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients in acute care (n = 19), undergoing rehabilitation (n = 20) or attending self-help groups (n = 16). Interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Challenges: gain information according to own needs, internet as information source, information evaluation and decisions, doctor-patient communication, situationally limited information processing, difficult access to information. Competencies: self-regulation of information needs, media and social competencies, communication skills in the doctor-patient conversation, internet competencies, self-directed decisions according to own needs, interest/self-efficacy, previous knowledge, trust in the doctor. Support: by professionals (e.g., patient-centered communication), relatives (e.g., support during consultations), peers (e.g., exchange), facilities (e.g., clinics). Conclusions: Our findings provide insight into challenges and competencies relevant to patients' health literacy and the influence of support. The individuality of the interplay highlights the relevance of an active patient role and patient-centered care. Practice implications: Patients' health literacy should be improved in (psycho)oncological work by both reducing challenges (e.g., by communication skills training, involving relatives) and promoting competencies (e.g., by needs- and competence-oriented information offers).