Informing women with breast cancer about endocrine therapy: effects on knowledge and adherence

TY - JOUR

T1 - Informing women with breast cancer about endocrine therapy: effects on knowledge and adherence

AU - Heisig, Sarah

AU - Shedden Mora, Meike

AU - von Blanckenburg, Pia

AU - Schuricht, Franziska

AU - Rief, Winfried

AU - Albert, Ute-Susann

AU - Nestoriuc, Yvonne

PY - 2015

Y1 - 2015

N2 - Objective: Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy in women with breast cancer is low, and patients are not informed sufficiently. This study analyzes the effects of a structured treatment information on patients’ satisfaction, knowledge, and adherence.Methods: An interventional single cohort study of postoperative women with estrogen-receptorpositive breast cancer was conducted to study the effects of enhanced information about endocrine therapy given additionally to clinical routine information. Knowledge and satisfaction with additional information given 1–3 weeks after surgery were assessed before and after informing patients; adherence and knowledge were measured 3 months after start of treatment.Results: A total of 137 patients were analyzed before and after provision of enhanced treatment information as well as 3 months after start of endocrine therapy. Enhanced information increased satisfaction with information and knowledge. The percentage of patients who knew their estrogen receptor status increased from 50% to 93%. At 3 months follow-up, 60% still had correct knowledge. Patients who learned their receptor status were older, and those who forgot had lower cognitive abilities and lower educational level. Patients with higher satisfaction, better learning, and comprehension directly after enhanced information showed better adherence at 3 months follow-up.Conclusion: Patients, especially older ones, can benefit from enhanced treatment information given additionally to routine care. Enhanced information about mode of action and potential side effects of endocrine therapy when included into clinical routine might foster patient autonomy and preventearly disruptions in adherence.

AB - Objective: Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy in women with breast cancer is low, and patients are not informed sufficiently. This study analyzes the effects of a structured treatment information on patients’ satisfaction, knowledge, and adherence.Methods: An interventional single cohort study of postoperative women with estrogen-receptorpositive breast cancer was conducted to study the effects of enhanced information about endocrine therapy given additionally to clinical routine information. Knowledge and satisfaction with additional information given 1–3 weeks after surgery were assessed before and after informing patients; adherence and knowledge were measured 3 months after start of treatment.Results: A total of 137 patients were analyzed before and after provision of enhanced treatment information as well as 3 months after start of endocrine therapy. Enhanced information increased satisfaction with information and knowledge. The percentage of patients who knew their estrogen receptor status increased from 50% to 93%. At 3 months follow-up, 60% still had correct knowledge. Patients who learned their receptor status were older, and those who forgot had lower cognitive abilities and lower educational level. Patients with higher satisfaction, better learning, and comprehension directly after enhanced information showed better adherence at 3 months follow-up.Conclusion: Patients, especially older ones, can benefit from enhanced treatment information given additionally to routine care. Enhanced information about mode of action and potential side effects of endocrine therapy when included into clinical routine might foster patient autonomy and preventearly disruptions in adherence.

U2 - 10.1002/pon.3611

DO - 10.1002/pon.3611

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

VL - 24

SP - 130

EP - 137

JO - PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY

JF - PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY

SN - 1057-9249

IS - 2

ER -