Information behaviour and decision-making in patients during their cancer journey
| Pages | 494-506 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-03-2016-0062 |
| Published date | 05 June 2017 |
| Date | 05 June 2017 |
| Author | Shih-Chuan Chen |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
Information behaviour and
decision-making in patients
during their cancer journey
Shih-Chuan Chen
Department of Library and Information Sciences, Fu Jen Catholic University,
New Taipei City, Taiwan
Abstract
Purpose –This paper aims to investigate the effect of cancer patients’ information behaviour on their
decision-making at the diagnosis and treatment stages of their cancer journey. Patients’ information sources
and their decision-making approaches were analyzed.
Design/methodology/approach –Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants.
Findings –The cancer patients sought information from various sources in choosing a hospital, physician,
treatment method, diet and alternative therapy. Physicians were the primary information source. The
patients’ approaches to treatment decision-making were diverse. An informed approach was adopted by nine
patients, a paternalistic approach by four and a shared decision-making approach by only two.
Practical implications –In practice, the ndings may assist hospitals and medical professionals in
fostering pertinent interactions with patients.
Originality/value –The ndings can enhance researcher understanding regarding the effect of cancer
patients’ information behaviour on their decision-making.
Keywords Decision-making, Cancer patients, Information sources, Information behaviour,
Patient/physician communication
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
According to the World Health Organization (2015), various types of cancers are among the
leading causes of mortality worldwide, with 8.2 million cancer-related deaths occurring in
2012. Moreover, the number of new cases is expected to rise by approximately 70 per cent
over the next two decades. A high rate of mortality and an uncertain treatment outcome have
rendered cancer a bewildering disease to many people. Patients are generally uninformed
about cancer-related issues. What is the cause of cancer? How should it be treated? What are
the treatment options? What are the side effects after surgery, chemotherapy or radiation
therapy? Patients seek appropriate information to answer those questions and others.
Cancer patients seek information from various sources. Hesse et al. (2008) reported the
following information sources for cancer patients: books, brochures, cancer organizations,
family members, friends and co-workers, health-care providers, the internet, libraries,
magazines, newspapers, other cancer patients and telephone information services.
Shea-Budgell et al. (2014) mentioned that the most frequently employed information sources
for cancer patients were the internet, followed by health-care providers (32.6 per cent),
brochures or pamphlets (25.1 per cent) and cancer organizations (24.3 per cent). Other sources
included telephone information services, libraries and complementary or alternative
This study was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan
(102-2410-H-030-088).
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
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EL
35,3
494
Received 10 March 2016
Revised 25 July 2016
Accepted 3 October 2016
TheElectronic Library
Vol.35 No. 3, 2017
pp.494-506
©Emerald Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/EL-03-2016-0062
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