Introduction

Providing information that patients need is considered crucial for adequate cancer care [1, 2]. Patients who are better informed have a higher health-related quality of life, and less anxiety and depression [3,4,5]. The need for information varies between types of cancer and sometimes evolves as patients pass through different stages of their cancer care continuum [6, 7]. After treatment with curative intent, colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in the Netherlands are included in a follow-up program for 5 years to detect possible recurrent disease and guide them through the years following treatment [8]. During this period, patients are able to ask questions and kept informed about relevant health issues. Traditionally, this follow-up for CRC patients is performed mainly in secondary care, but there is an increasing tendency to involve general practitioners (GPs) more during this stage of care [9,10,11,12].

Previous research has been performed on the information needs or information seeking behaviour of patients after initial treatment for CRC [6, 13]. These patients in the USA were found to be well informed about their disease and treatment, but less well informed about reducing the risk of cancer recurrence, improvements in lifestyle, and the potential benefit of involving a primary care provider in their care. Other subjects that were identified to receive less attention during follow-up were diet/nutrition and managing bowel symptoms [7]. Interestingly, in only a minority of the articles, patients had actually been asked about their needs, and few articles reported how patients searched for information [6, 7]. Many studies published on the subject are presented on the online database of the US Health Information National Trends Survey [14]. Finney Rutten et al. demonstrated that information seeking is common in cancer survivors, and the percentage of survivors seeking information is increasing in recent years [15].

The information needs and information seeking behaviour of CRC patients in the Netherlands are currently not well known. The regular follow-up visits take place at the hospital, while every patient in the Netherlands also has a regular GP who acts as first contact and often provides continuous care. Patients might therefore consult several health care providers for information. To what extent patients feel informed by health care providers and whether they look for information themselves needs to be examined to see if improvements can be made.

Therefore, we performed a prospective study in which all patients currently in a CRC follow-up program were asked to complete three consecutive surveys. In this paper, we aim to report on (1) whether patients feel informed about the different subjects of follow-up care and if they need more information on any subject, (2) whether and how patients look for information themselves, and (3) whether there are any differences in subgroups of patients.

Methods

Patients

We performed a prospective cohort study among patients treated with curative intent for CRC and who were currently participating in a follow-up program (i.e. the first five postoperative years). Recruitment was done at the outpatient clinics of six Dutch hospitals. Patients with TNM stages 1–3 disease were included. Patients were eligible if they had a (temporary) stoma, and if they had received or were still undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were excluded in case of hereditary CRC, inflammatory bowel disease, (sub)total colectomy, history of other primary cancer, or any other condition where specialized follow-up care was needed. We identified patients by means of hospital databases used for follow-up planning.

Survey

Patients were asked to complete an identical survey at three different times: (1) at inclusion of the study, (2) 2 months after inclusion, and (3) 6 months after inclusion. This survey contained questions on sociodemographic background, lifestyle, information provision, information need, and information searching. Information about cancer characteristics, staging, treatment, comorbid conditions, and medication use was obtained from patients’ hospital and general practice records.

Statistics

The data were collected using an online survey program (SurveyMonkey) and analysed using SPSS Statistics 25 and MLwiN 2.34. We performed an independent samples t test and chi-squared test for comparison between participants and non-participants. To examine the differences between specific subgroups of patients, we performed a mixed effects logistic regression to account for the repeated observations within patients. Thematic analysis was performed for responses to open questions. When presenting the results over time, we divided all patients into three groups, according to their time after surgery at the time of filling out the survey: (1) within 6 months after surgery, (2) between 6 and 12 months after surgery, and (3) later than 12 months after surgery. We chose this way of representation because analyses of longitudinal data from individual participants and subgroups of patients did not show any change over time. We confirmed the validity of dividing the patients in this way, and checked that changing the number of groups or the time frames used did not change the outcomes presented here.

Ethical statement

The Medical Ethics Committee of the Amsterdam University Medical Centres reviewed the protocol and judged that a formal evaluation by the committee was not required. Nevertheless, all participants received study information and provided verbal and written consent.

Results

Four hundred eighty-two patients were contacted of whom 259 agreed to participate (response rate 54%); 222 patients completed all three surveys (86%). Patients that did not participate were older (average 72 versus 67 years, p < 0.001) but otherwise similar to the participating group. Reasons for not participating were as follows: too much effort (N = 66), did not wish to disclose a reason (N = 47), lack of interest (N = 41), the study being too confrontational (N = 36), feeling too old/feeble (N = 20), or other reasons (N = 13).

Table 1 shows the characteristics of all participants. The average age was 67 years (range 32–94), 54% were male, and the median time after surgery at baseline was 7 months (range 0–60). One in three participants had undergone adjuvant chemotherapy, with a quarter of those (n = 35) undergoing chemotherapy during the survey. Fifty percent of all patients had one or more chronic comorbid condition.

Table 1 Patient and disease characteristics at baseline
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Table 2 shows the frequency of health care provider visits reported by patients. Two thirds of patients consulted their GP 1–5 times the previous year, with a small percentage (6%) consulting their GP more than 10 times. This consultation rate remained constant over time. Most patients had a regular surgeon or oncology specialist, and about half of patients had a regular specialized hospital nurse. Most patients reported to feel reassured by their surgeon or oncology specialist and specialized hospital nurse, and most patients reported being involved in making their own treatment decisions (Table 2).

Table 2 Self-reported experience with health care providers
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Figure 1 shows how many patients reported feeling informed about various subjects, and whether they thought they needed more information on these subjects. Patients who recently (< 6 months) had surgery felt more informed about their treatment (odds ratio (OR) 2.17, 95% confidence interval 1.25–3.76), and disease (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.28–3.65), but no other differences over time were found on any of the subjects or needs. Patients felt most informed about their treatment (86%), disease (84%), follow-up program (80%), and how to contact the hospital if necessary (68%). Need for more information on these subjects was low. Patients felt less informed about what to expect in the future (49%), nutrition (43%), recommended physical activity (42%), the heredity of cancer (40%), and how to improve their symptoms (36%). Need for more information was especially high on the heredity of cancer (39%), what to expect in the future (36%), and nutrition (26%) (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Number of patients who reported feeling informed about various subjects, and whether they thought they needed more information on these subjects

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To examine the need for more information on lifestyle, patients responded to several statements. About half of the patients reported that cancer had made them eat healthier, or intended to eat (even) healthier. Only a small percentage needed guidance to eat healthier. About one in five patients had become physically more active because of their cancer, and one in three intended to get more active. The need for guidance to get more active was low. The cancer diagnosis had made two thirds of patients stop smoking, but only between 6 and 12 months after treatment. The intention to stop smoking and the need for help to stop smoking were low.

Patients younger than 65 years felt more informed about the heredity of cancer (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.39–3.00), and needed more information than older patients on the follow-up program (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.06–2.46), what to expect in the future (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.06–2.31), nutrition (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.00–2.34), and ways to improve their symptoms (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.18–2.71). Patients that had undergone chemotherapy or were currently undergoing chemotherapy felt more informed about (physical) symptoms to be aware of (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.05–2.25), what to expect in the future (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.09–2.33), nutrition (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.02–2.13), recommended physical activity (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.18–2.48), ways to improve their (physical/mental) symptoms (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.24–2.57), but also needed more information on their treatment (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.04–2.73), and follow-up program (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.25–2.89). Patients with a chronic comorbid condition needed more information on how to contact the hospital if necessary (OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.23–4.90), what to expect in the future (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.06–2.25), recommended physical activity (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.10–2.75), and the heredity of cancer (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.26–2.61).

Table 3 shows information seeking behaviour over time. One in three patients reported searching for information themselves, mostly on the Internet (65%), by asking friends (28%), or by reading an information brochure (25%). Patients younger than 65 years more frequently searched for information themselves (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.13–2.43), and more often used the Internet (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.66–3.99). Patients with a university education also more frequently searched for information themselves (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.24–3.82), and used the Internet (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.69–5.62) and friends (OR 3.26, 95% CI 1.58–6.72) more frequently as sources. One in four patients consulted one or more health care providers for information, mostly their GP (50%), surgeon or oncology specialist (45%), or hospital nurse (26%). Patients currently undergoing chemotherapy were more likely to consult their specialized hospital nurse for information (OR 3.30, 95% CI 1.33–8.21). Information seeking behaviour and sources of information remained constant over time.

Table 3 Information seeking behaviour over time
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Discussion

This paper reports on the information needs and information seeking behaviour of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after initial treatment. By means of three consecutive surveys, we prospectively evaluated (1) whether patients felt informed about the different subjects of follow-up and if they needed more information on any subject, (2) whether and how patients looked for information themselves, and (3) whether there were any differences in subgroups of patients.

Main findings

CRC patients in the current health care situation feel well informed about their treatment, disease, follow-up program, and how to contact the hospital if necessary. Other subjects, such as future expectations, nutrition, recommended physical activity, and heredity of cancer are perceived to be less well addressed. Especially high was the need for more information on heredity and what to expect in the future. Patients felt least informed about work resumption and patient organizations, but the need for more information on these subjects was also low. Apart from patients that have recently undergone surgery being more informed about their treatment and disease, there were no significant changes over time for any of the subjects or needs described in this study.

One in three patients in our study searched for information themselves, mostly by using the Internet. One in four patients reported visiting a health care provider specifically for more information, most frequently the GP. The information seeking behaviour did not change with time after surgery.

Younger patients and patients with a university education were more informed, and more frequently looked for information themselves. Patients who had undergone chemotherapy were also more informed about several subjects, but also needed more information on their treatment and follow-up program. Patients with chronic comorbid conditions needed more information on several subjects, but did not search for more information themselves, or consult a health care provider for more information.

Comparison to previous literature

The subjects on which the patients in this study felt well informed are in line with previous reports [6, 7, 13, 15]. The provision of information could be improved most where patients’ unmet need for information is highest. As concluded by Salz et al., it would appear that CRC patients need more information that allows them to plan for the future, as opposed to more information on the treatment they have undergone [13]. For instance, more information on nutrition, recommended physical activity, and ways to improve long-term physical and mental symptoms could possibly serve these needs [4, 7, 13, 16,17,18,19]. Information on the heredity of cancer appeared to be the most prominent unmet need in our patients. CRC follow-up care providers should take note of this need for information on heredity and address the issue, even if they think heredity does not apply to the medical situation of their patient. The patients in our study reported a low need for information on work resumption even after correction for working status, which differs from previous reports [19]. Possibly, this difference is due to the different cancer types included in other studies (such as breast cancer and melanoma) with a lower average age of patients, whereas our study population consisted mainly of older patients, who are more at the end of their working lives.

Previous studies have shown that CRC patients that have received dietary advice were more likely to change their diet, although lifestyle issued are not always adequately addressed by health care providers [20, 21]. Tan et al. state that “clinicians could consider addressing issues including smoking cessation, physical activity, or other risk behaviours with their patients during the early survivorship period when patients are likely to be more receptive to information about managing risks of recurrence” [6]. However, the low percentage of patients in our study that intend to improve their lifestyle or need guidance in doing so indicates that these subjects are not something they are keen on addressing. And yet, combined with the unmet need on information about nutrition in particular, this observation could be a starting point to improve information on lifestyle that could contribute to an improved lifestyle and higher quality of life in CRC patients, certainly in the long run.

Previous studies vary widely in the reported use of the Internet [7, 22,23,24], but this probably has to do with differences in study populations and the increasing familiarity with the Internet as a medium over time. More important is a concern expressed by Cumbo et al. and Sajid et al. about the lack of quality control on the information found on the Internet [22, 23]. Anticipating this concern, there have been efforts to provide cancer patients with reliable and accessible Internet-based sources of information that are currently being evaluated and reported on, such as the Oncokompas [25,26,27,28,29].

Remarkably, patients with chronic comorbid conditions needed more information on several subjects, but did not search for more information themselves, or consult a health care provider specifically for more information. Possibly, because these patients receive regular checks at their GP for their comorbid condition, they address any questions during those visits. However, it could also be that the information needs of patients with comorbid conditions are therefore not brought to the attention of health care providers and not adequately addressed. We have not come across this in previous literature, although Finney Rutten et al. did report that older patients seek information less frequently than younger patients [15], and we recommend all follow-up care providers to consider actively addressing these potential unmet needs. Perhaps the GP, who is familiar with treating comorbid conditions and trained in managing the complex interplay of medical history and personal background, could play an important role in reaching this potentially vulnerable group of patients. The percentage of patients with a chronic comorbid condition in our study seems comparatively low for the patient population. Although we combined information from patients themselves with hospital and general practice records, half of our participants did not appear to have any chronic comorbid condition. Perhaps, older patients with comorbid conditions were less inclined to participate in this study, but it is probably also a reflection of our strict definition of a “chronic” comorbid condition.

Strengths and limitations

This paper is the first in the Netherlands to present both the information needs and information seeking behaviour reported by CRC patients currently in follow-up care. Furthermore, it provides an overview of CRC patients spread out over the entire follow-up care stage. The survey consisted of specific subjects, but also allowed patients to answer open questions in order to obtain a complete view of relevant issues. This allowed us to compare our patient population to previous publications, but also revealed new results.

Valid for the patients currently in a follow-up care program in the Netherlands, these results might not be readily applicable to the health care situation in other countries. Even though the spread of patients over time was acceptable, most patients were concentrated in the first year-and-a-half after treatment. Lastly, these results reflect patients’ perceptions on being informed; a patient who stated to be informed about a subject may quite possibly have inaccurate or erroneous knowledge.

Conclusions

Colorectal cancer patients after initial treatment feel well informed about their treatment, disease, follow-up care program, and how to contact the hospital if necessary, but less informed about future expectations, nutrition, recommended physical activity, and heredity of cancer. Younger patients and patients who have undergone chemotherapy need more information and seek for more information themselves. Patients with comorbid conditions also need more information on several subjects, but do not seek for more information themselves. The GP is the most frequently consulted caregiver, which provides GPs especially with the opportunity to improve information provision on several subjects, while identifying and supporting vulnerable patients during their cancer follow-up stage.

Funding statement

This study was funded by Alpe d’HuZes, the Dutch Cancer Society (grant number UVA 2013-5954).