Evaluation of the quality of the information received during head and neck cancer announcement: Prospective two-center study.

Abstract

Providing patient with cancer with appropriate information following the disclosure of a cancer diagnosis has multiple benefits. The objective was to evaluate the quality of the information received during an announcement for head and neck cancer and to determine predictive factors. We conducted a prospective two-center study using self-questionnaires to assess the patient's perception of the quality of the announcement. Satisfaction scores on the information provided about the overall disease were 7.7/10. The main positive predictors of quality were a satisfactory consultation setting (P = .004), assessment of pain by a physician (P = .04), physician availability (P = .003), accurate information about tumor stage, quality of information regarding the type (P < .0001) and purpose (P = .001) of treatment and its side effects (P = .006), and the interview with the oncology nurse coordinator (P < .05). Patients who received the announcement of head and neck cancer perceived the information received during the pretherapeutic period as satisfactory.