Factors influencing information needs among cancer patients: A meta-analysis

Receiving the right information is extremely important for cancer patients as they move through the illness trajectory. However, according to previous research, not all patients are alike in the amount of information they need. A meta-analysis was conducted to study the aggregate influence of demographic and situational variables on the amount of information cancer patients need. The intent was to provide those individuals involved in information exchanges with indicators - patient characteristics and/or patient situations - to avoid overwhelming patients who need less information as well as to satisfy the higher needs of patients who need greater amounts of infon-nation. The pooled effect sizes produced show that younger cancer patients need more information (r = -0.26) and patients who preferred active roles in treatment decision-making express greater need for information (r = 0.38). Cancer patients' gender, their education, time elapsed since diagnosis of cancer, and the stage of their illness may not be related to their information needs. In particular, it may be important to probe further the reasons for the lower need for information among elderly cancer patients because if their lower needs are due to their feelings of inhibition, efforts should be made in all contexts of health information transfer to enhance their information seeking. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.