Medical information and consent for cancer patients

Abstract

The way people with cancer access health information and the impact such knowledge has on decision-making is a matter of crucial interest in this group. This research intends to promote a critical reflection on personal, professional values and of society in general; to identify underlying ethical principles to decision making; to analyze the professional relationship with the sick person; to characterize the decision making and quantify the information provided to users. It is a quantitative, exploratory study with application of Easy-Care questionnaire, and QLQ – INFO25 in a sample of 20 people with cancer. It was observed deficits in adequate information to the needs of people with cancer in the fields of self-management of the disease; use of certain services (physical therapy, psychology) and the influence of the disease/treatment in social and family environment.