Information-seeking behaviour of men newly diagnosed with cancer: a qualitative study

Aim. This paper reports the findings of a study, which explored the information-seeking behaviour of men newly diagnosed with cancer. Background. There is worldwide recognition that there are significant differences in the way men and women react to and cope with illness, yet there seems to be a lack of research into men's information-seeking behaviours and how they get their information needs met. The needs of men with cancer has so far received less research attention than women. Methods. A qualitative approach, consisting of in-depth interviews, was used. A convenient sample of 13 men newly diagnosed with cancer and five healthcare professionals and four lay sources were recruited for this study. Results. Five themes emerged from the data. These were: 'experiencing discomfort in the healthcare setting', 'reliance on partners as information gatherers', 'reluctance to explore a range of information sources and support', 'unmet information needs' and 'getting back to normal'. Together, they provide a perspective on men's information needs and information-seeking behaviour. Conclusions. Healthcare professionals should be aware that there may be gender differences in how patients cope with their cancer, how they seek information and what information needs they have. Further training and preparation in 'men's health' is recommended for all those working with men in cancer care. Relevance to clinical practice. Understanding how, when and in what circumstances men express their information needs will help healthcare professionals to develop strategies to meet these needs and other support needs of men with cancer.