Abstract
Aim
To explore the demands for different disease-related information and the acceptance of various information sources in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD).
Methods
This study included 159 patients with CD and was conducted from April 2017 to December 2017 in our hospital. We obtained the demographic characteristics of the patients and used the modified information demands questionnaire to assess patients’ disease information demands, covering 4 aspects which include general knowledge, fertility, clinical treatment, and daily management. Then, we analyzed the factors associated with the information demand. In addition, we studied the patients’ acceptance of different information sources.
Results
The disease-related information demands of patients with CD are generally high. Female patients, young patients, and patients with plans to have children have significantly higher information demands concerning fertility. The information demands in clinical treatment are higher in young patients. Patients living in the countryside and patients with a short disease duration have high information demands concerning life management. The patients’ acceptance of different information sources is variable. Doctor-mediated guidance, brochures, and videos are the top 3 patient choices for information sources.
Conclusion
Patients’ information demands concerning many aspects of CD are generally high. Certain demands are significantly associated with the demographic characteristics of the patients. Doctor-mediated guidance, brochures, and videos are the top 3 patient choices for information sources. Therefore, corresponding education programs can be developed to improve the physical and psychological health of CD patients in the future.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (no 81670503).
Author contribution
All authors contributed toward data analysis, drafting and revising the paper, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.