Encuesta de opinión a pacientes ingresados en un centro monográfico de cáncer sobre el modo de recibir la información. Estudio descriptivo y transversal

Introduction: Within the Autonomous Community, the preferences of patients on how to receive information should be considered (whether in a conversation with professionals or via electronic means). In Catalonia, citizens have access to an Internet web page (“La Meva Salut”) where they can consult relevant information about their medical history. Regarding the degree of participation in decision-making, the “Control Preferences Scale” values preferences in decision-making. Objectives: To know the preferences of patients on how they want to be informed and on how to make decisions. Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study carried out in an oncology, hematology, and palliative care hospitalization unit at a tertiary hospital. Collected sociodemographic variables included educational level, stage of disease, preferences on how to receive information, and “The Control Preferences Scale”. The Ethics Committee approval was obtained. Results: A total of 33 patients were included with a median age of 51 years; 76% were men, 57 % had metastatic disease; 51 % had basic education; 22 patients (66 %) were unaware of the web page; 91 % wanted a health professional to inform them about their illness, and none preferred it delivered through electronic means; 33 % wanted decisions to be made in a shared way, with their doctor and family. The 11 patients who were aware of the web age (33 %) were younger, mainly affected by hematological diseases, and with a higher educational level. Conclusions: 91 % of patients would like a healthcare professional to give them information about their health; 33 % preferred to make their decisions after listening to their physicians' and family's opinions. None preferred that the web page was their only source of information.