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The
Mary Junck Research Colloquium Series Spring 2008 |
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School of Journalism
and Mass Communication |
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Dr. Kalyani Ankem |
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Associate
Professor |
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Mar. 20 |
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Cancer Patients’ Information Needs and Information Sources: A Quantitative
Meta synthesis (1993-2003) |
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A quantitative meta-synthesis of literature on
cancer patients’ information needs and information sources published during
1993 to 2003 was conducted. A meta-analysis of the aggregate influence of
demographic and situational variables on the amount of information that
cancer patients need showed that 1) younger cancer patients need more
information (r=-0.26) and 2) patients who preferred active roles in
treatment decision-making express greater need for information (r=0.38).
A systematic review of types of information needs indicated that information
about the disease itself and information about the treatment that follows are
the most important types. A second systematic review of use of
information sources showed that 1) health care professionals, medical
pamphlets, and family and friends are the most used information sources, 2) books,
health care professionals and medical pamphlets are the most helpful
information sources, and 3) younger patients used health care professionals
and certain forms of written information sources more than older patients. The
findings of the meta-synthesis have implications for cancer education
programs in health care as well as in libraries. |
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If you would like additional details/information Sriram "Sri" Kalyanaraman |
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