Information Needs and Information Seeking by Family Members and Friends of Terminal Cancer Patients: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACT

This research explored the information needs and seeking behaviors of family members and friends who experienced a terminal cancer diagnosis of a loved one that included a predicted lifespan (e.g. 5 months, 2 years, etc.). A 40-item online survey was designed to explore: the timeframe of the diagnosis, level of satisfaction with the communication of the terminal diagnosis, the type and frequency of use of print and online resources, perceived reliability of the information, obstacles acquiring information, anticipated information uses, and fluctuation of information needs. The research findings suggest that these individuals play important roles and seek information for themselves and others, assisting with many aspects throughout the cancer trajectory.

KEYWORDS:

• Cancer patients
• consumer health information
• consumer information services
• families
• health information services
• information resources
• information needs
• information-seeking behavior
• medical librarianship
• patient education
• quantitative research
• questionnaires
• surveys

Acknowledgments

The author thanks all the survey participants for their time and sincere reflections on this sensitive topic.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.