INFORMATION, SUPPORT, AND DECISION-MAKING NEEDS AND PREFERENCES OF ADOLESCENTS WITH CANCER - IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH-PROFESSIONALS

This article presents findings from an exploratory study of treatment experiences and preferences of a group of 51 Australian young people w ith cancer (27 males and 24 females aged 12-24 years). The objective o f the study was to identify their information, support, and decision-m aking needs and preferences to inform health professionals and thereby improve patients' treatment experiences. A 42-item self-administered questionnaire, including open- and closed-ended items, was developed t o collect current and retrospective data. Responses to open-ended item s were content-analyzed. The young people wished to be more informed a nd involved in treatment decisions. Almost all of them (49) wanted to be informed about ''bad news,'' such as treatment is ineffective, prog nosis is poor, death is imminent. Their preferences for involvement wi th health professionals, family, and peers in different contexts are r eported. The qualities of health professionals that facilitated commun ication, according to the young people, were the ability to listen, ge nuine concern, professional expertise, and honesty, whereas an imperso nal manner, use of technical jargon, haste, and the generation gap hin dered communication.