Development and Test of an Information Needs Scale for Outpatients Undergoing Chemotherapy.
- Author:
Eun Hyun LEE
1
;
Jin Hyuk CHOI
;
Ho Yeong LIM
;
Mi Sook SEO
;
Hugh C KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive Medicine & Public Health, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Chemotherapy;
Information needs;
Instrument
- MeSH:
Drug Therapy*;
Eating;
Health Occupations;
Humans;
Outpatients*
- From:Cancer Research and Treatment
2002;34(2):97-103
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and test an Information Needs Scale for Korean outpatients undergoing chemotherapy (INS-C). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three items of the INS-C had content validity based upon findings in the literature and the experiences of expert oncology physicians and nurses. Each item consisted of a five-point Likert scale from 1 (don't want to know) to 5 (want to know very much). The items were administered to 175 Korean outpatients undergoing chemotherapy. The data obtained was analysed using a factor analysis for construct validity and Cronabch's alpha for internal consistent reliability. RESULTS: From the factor analysis, six subscales were derived significantly. The six subscales explained 64.62% of the variance. The subscales were named Side-Effects/Investigative Tests (9 items), Spread of Disease (4 items), Financial Cost (2 items), Treatment (7 items), Activities/ Eating (6 items), and Interrelationships/Support (5 items). The Cronbach's alpha of the total INS-C was .95, and the alpha of the subscales ranged from .77 to .91. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the INS-C is a reliable and valid instrument to measure the information needs of outpatients undergoing chemotherapy. Health professionals caring for patients with cancer should assess the informational needs of their patients using a reliable and valid instrument and be prepared to provide accurate information.
