1 research outputs found
Identifying unmet information needs of advanced cancer patients in Iran: An inâdepth qualitative study
Abstract Background and Aims One of the main vital needs for selfâcare in patients with advanced cancer is information need. Meeting this need has significant positive effects on improving their treatment and care. This study was conducted to identify the unmet information needs of patients with advanced cancer in Iran. Methods This exploratory study was performed from July to February 2021 in the Kerman University of Medical Sciences cancer treatment centers. Oncologists selected eligible patients by purposeful sampling method. Semistructured and inâdepth interviews were conducted with selected patients to collect data. Interviews continued until data saturation. Each interview was audioârecorded and transcribed verbatim. Results In the interviews, 15 patients with advanced cancer ranging in age from 43 to 65 years participated. The most common type of cancer in women was breast (71.4%) and prostate (50%) in men. The two main categories of âtypes of unmet information needsâ and âreasons for not meeting information needsâ were extracted from the analysis of patient interviews, with six and four subcategories, respectively. Conclusion Cancer patients had a large number of unmet information needs. At the time of identifying the unmet information needs of cancer patients, the basic reasons for not meeting these needs should also be considered because cultural differences and social gaps in societies are inevitable