The Determinants and Consequences of Information Seeking Among Cancer Patients
- ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Jammie Price Ph.D., Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- Appalachian State University (ASU )
- Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Abstract: This research was designed to examine information seeking behavior among cancer
patients. We present a model which identifies the determinants and consequences of
information seeking and, in turn, examines the effects of prior variables on four
outcome variables: whether patients discussed with their physicians information that
they received from other sources, whether the information they obtained helped them
make decisions about treatment or care, whether the patient sought a second opinion
about his / her diagnosis or treatment, and changes in self-reported stress levels from
diagnosis to the time of interview. The model is estimated separately for three groups:
patients who sought information from multiple sources including the National Cancer
Institute’s Cancer Information Service, patients who sought information from multiple
sources but did not call the Cancer Information Service, and patients who did not seek
information other than from their physician(s). We discuss variables that have similar
impacts on outcome variables in all three groups as well as variables that operate
differently within the groups. The results indicate that the desire for information and
the desire for involvement in medical care decisions are independent factors. Some
patients have a strong desire for both information and involvement in making health
care decisions. These patients actively seek involvement in their treatment plans.
Other patients, however, want to be informed about their disease and treatment but
prefer to delegate most decision-making to their physicians. Still other patients choose
to delegate information gathering and decision making exclusively to their physicians.
We discuss the implications of these results for both patients and providers.
The Determinants and Consequences of Information Seeking Among Cancer Patients
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Created on 4/27/2012
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Czaja, R., Manfredi, C. and Price, J. (2003) The Determinants and Consequences of Information Seeking Among Cancer Patients. Journal of Health Communication 8(6):529-562 (Nov 2003). Published by Taylor & Francis (ISSN: 1081-0730). DOI: 10.1080/10810730390250470
- Language: English
- Date: 2003