Information provision to cancer patients: a practical example of identifying the need for changes in practice from the Dorset Cancer Centre

The aim of this study was to produce a patient-centred information strategy based on the results of a local survey of cancer patients about the inform ation they receive and their information needs. An anonymous patient survey was distributed at the Dorset Cancer Centre, Poole Hospital, the regional cancer centre for Dorset, in the South-west of England. All patients attend ing the Cancer Centre during 1 week in September 1999 were asked to complet e a questionnaire on patient experience of the Cancer Centre, information s ources, receipt and quality of Centre information, and perception of inform ation requirements. Two hundred and eighty-two were returned. Most responde nts had accessed information from a number of sources. Written Cancer Centr e information had been given to most patients, and was generally perceived to be useful, understandable and timely. However, most patients had receive d information 'all at once', from a single professional group, and a notabl e proportion did not recall discussing it with staff. Furthermore, most pat ients indicated that information should also be provided to families and pr ofessionals. Seven items of information were selected as valuable by the ma jority of patients, with many others listed. There was a great deal of sati sfaction with the current content of the patient information provided. Howe ver, the distribution system was shown to be in need of improvement. A new information strategy has been developed in the light of these findings.