PATIENT INFORMATION ABOUT RADIATION-THERAPY - A SURVEY IN EUROPE

Background and purpose: We performed a survey to evaluate the present status and means of information given to patients treated by radiother apy. A short questionnaire was sent, with the help of ESTRO, to 746 Eu ropean heads of department with a request to send specific documents u sed for informing the patient, Within 2 months (March and April 1996) we received 290 answers (39%) and 97 centres sent documents. Materials and methods: Analysis of the questionnaire and the documents was perf ormed quantitatively with usual statistical methods and qualitatively with a socio-anthropological method of content analysis. Results: Anal ysis of the questionnaire shows the major role of the radiation oncolo gist in giving information and writing documents. The 298 different sa mples sent from 97 centres represent a wide panel with a booklet of ge neral information (59 booklets/57 centres), practical advice and speci fic explanations (177 documents/49 centres) and informed consent (36 d ocuments/28 centres). The anthropological study was centred on the way information was given, evaluation of the patient's understanding and analysis of documents sent. Conclusion: This preliminary survey needs to be completed by a study, including the patient's point of view and needs, about the information given. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.