INFORMATION TO PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT-MELANOMA - A RANDOMIZED GROUP-STUDY

An information programme for patients with cutaneous malignant melanom a, Stage 1, aiming at increasing satisfaction with information, was ca rried out at the Department of Oncology (Radiumhemmet). The programme consisted of a group meeting and a brochure. A total of 231 consecutiv e patients were included, and 149 (65%) reported interest in participa tion and were randomized to the Information group (n = 77) or to the C ontrol group. A total of 67 patients (29%) were not interested (the NI -group). To evaluate the programme, the patients in the three groups c ompleted questionnaires regarding satisfaction with information, knowl edge of melanoma and psychological and psychosomatic variables before randomization and at the first visit for follow-up at Radiumhemmet. Af ter the information programme, the information group was significantly more satisfied with information, had a higher level of knowledge and a lower proportion requested further information as compared with the control group. No differences were found on the psychological and psyc hosomatic variables.