Information seeking and avoidance throughout the cancer patient journey: two sides of the same coin? A synthesis of qualitative studies

Psycho-OncologyVolume 23, Issue 12 p. 1373-1381 Paper Information seeking and avoidance throughout the cancer patient journey: two sides of the same coin? A synthesis of qualitative studies Evi Germeni, Corresponding Author Evi Germeni Institute of Communication and Health, Faculty of Communication Sciences, University of Lugano, Lugano, SwitzerlandCorrespondence to: Institute of Communication and Health, Faculty of Communication Sciences, University of Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorPeter J. Schulz, Peter J. Schulz Institute of Communication and Health, Faculty of Communication Sciences, University of Lugano, Lugano, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this author Evi Germeni, Corresponding Author Evi Germeni Institute of Communication and Health, Faculty of Communication Sciences, University of Lugano, Lugano, SwitzerlandCorrespondence to: Institute of Communication and Health, Faculty of Communication Sciences, University of Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorPeter J. Schulz, Peter J. Schulz Institute of Communication and Health, Faculty of Communication Sciences, University of Lugano, Lugano, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this author First published: 10 May 2014 https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3575Citations: 27Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Abstract Objective Understanding what motivates patients to seek or avoid information beyond the medical consultation is essential for effective information provision that will be relevant to patients' needs and preferences. We conducted a synthesis of published qualitative research to provide insight into patients' motivations for cancer information seeking and avoidance. Methods We searched five electronic databases: Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Communication and Mass Media Complete, and Sociological Abstracts. We complemented this process by reviewing reference lists of relevant articles and searching in Google Scholar. We independently assessed the quality of selected studies and used the technique of meta-ethnography to synthesize available findings. Results Eighteen articles that reported the information-seeking experiences of 650 patients diagnosed with more than 20 different types of cancer were included. Key concepts were experience of diagnosis, sense of control, trust in medical expertise, hope and fear, and need to resume normality. The synthesis revealed the fluid boundaries existing between information seeking and avoidance throughout the cancer journey and pointed toward the exploration of factors that could influence patients' motivations to engage in information seeking. Patient characteristics, disease characteristics, characteristics of incoming information, and the context of cancer care were found to facilitate or hinder individuals' willingness and potential to assume the role of ‘informed patient’. Conclusions This meta-ethnography suggests that information seeking and avoidance should not be necessarily considered as two distinct behaviors pertaining to different groups of patients; rather, a number of personal and contextual characteristics should be taken into account when evaluating patient desire for information. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. References 1 Charles C, Gafni A, Whelan T. Shared decision-making in the medical encounter: what does it mean? 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Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. Volume23, Issue12December 2014Pages 1373-1381 ReferencesRelatedInformation