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Influences of Patient Sociodemographics on Cancer Information Received Through the First 9 Months of Treatment

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Abstract

This study evaluates the amount and change of information cancer patients report receiving related to disease, diagnostic tests, treatments, physical care, and psychosocial resources over 9 months of treatment. Information received by newly diagnosed, stages II–IV cancer patients receiving treatment (N = 139) at baseline, 4, and 9 months is examined through a two-stage latent growth model. Each information-received category was modeled with latent variables of intercept and slope. Random intercept and slope factors are then regressed on multiple sociodemographic covariates. The mean amount of information received does not change over time, but significant inter-individual variability was observed. Age (younger) and marital status (married) are significantly associated with a higher total amount of information received while education (less) and race (African-American) are significantly associated with slower declines of information received over time. While the mean amount of information cancer patients receive is relatively constant over the course of treatment for the first 9 months, the level and rate of information received is somewhat varied based on patient characteristics. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the varying amounts of information received by patients and ensure that the amount is consistent with the patient’s individual needs.

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded by the American Cancer Society (MRSGT-08-143-01-CPPB).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), PO Box 980149, Richmond, VA, 23298-0149, USA

    Anthony Molisani

  2. Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

    Levent Dumenci

  3. Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Medicine and Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA

    Robin K. Matsuyama

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  1. Anthony Molisani
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  2. Levent Dumenci
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  3. Robin K. Matsuyama
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Correspondence to Anthony Molisani.

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Molisani, A., Dumenci, L. & Matsuyama, R.K. Influences of Patient Sociodemographics on Cancer Information Received Through the First 9 Months of Treatment. J Canc Educ 29, 158–166 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0564-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0564-z

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