- Title
- Cancer patients' willingness to answer survey questions about life expectancy
- Creator
- Mackenzie, L. J.; Carey, M. L.; Sanson-Fisher, R. W.; D'Este, C. A.; Hall, A. E.
- Relation
- Supportive Care in Cancer Vol. 20, Issue 5, p. 3335-3341
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1477-9
- Publisher
- Springer
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2012
- Description
- Purpose: This study aimed to determine the proportion and characteristics of radiation oncology outpatients who were willing to answer questions about their life expectancy. Methods: A cross-sectional patient self-report survey was conducted using touch screen computers in Australian radiation oncology treatment centers. The primary outcome was the respondent’s willingness to complete a survey subsection about life expectancy. Demographic and disease characteristics were also collected, and level of anxiety and depression was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: Of the 469 oncology outpatients who completed the survey, 327 (70 %; 95 % CI, 65 %, 74 %) indicated that they were willing to answer questions about life expectancy. Being female (p < 0.001), older (p < 0.05), born in Asia (p < 0.05), and being diagnosed with cancer types other than breast and prostate cancer (p < 0.01) were associated with lower odds of answering life expectancy questions. Conclusions: The opportunity to opt-out of survey questions about sensitive issues such as life expectancy is a feasible method for accessing important information about patient preferences while minimizing burden. Further research may be needed to improve acceptability of life expectancy research to some patient groups.
- Subject
- cancer; patient-centered care; patient preference; prognosis
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1044240
- Identifier
- uon:14301
- Identifier
- ISSN:0941-4355
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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