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During radiotherapy course (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC) in Denmark, there is a wide range of written information material available to patients in the form of leaflets and internet sites.  Patients meet many different radiographers and other healthcare professionals who need to inform them about treatments and side effects. But do the patients have the ability to absorb the information at a given time? The aim of this study is to explore male HNC survivals experience of the distribution of information given during the RT and its influence on their quality of life. 

Six HNC survivors who attended one year of control after finished RT have been enrolled. All participants are male, 51-66 years old. The study is designed as a qualitative research study within the hermeneutical tradition in humanity. The Norwegian psychologist Siri Næss’ definition of quality of life is the theoretical framework, which forms the basis of the interview guide. Six semi-structured individual interviews have been conducted, audio-recorded and transcribed. The material is coded to include statements about HNC survivals experience of the amount and timing of given information.

The interviews have reviled that male HNC survivals are generally overwhelmed by amount of written and oral information giving by the many different health professionals including radiographers, but also about their ability to absorb the information at given time. Five out of six informants express that they have got an incomprehensible amount of information at the beginning of the treatment and because of the psychological crisis that they have been in at that moment, they did not read the leaflets provided in advance and could not remember all the information given. The citations are predominantly negative as the HNC survivals are dissatisfied with the overall distribution of information. According to Næss, this means the quality of life is low to the extent that the person’s consciously cognitive experiences are negative. Only few positive feelings and assessments are recorded that predominantly affect the relatives' commitment to organize written information and remember appointments.

Patients have a desire to receive information in person, drop by drop, when relevant, and do not read the material in advance. Based on this, Radiographers and other healthcare professionals cannot take for granted that patients are well-informed. The amount and flow of information have a major impact on patients' overall understanding of their course of treatment, and one year after completion of treatment, it still affects their quality of life. The course of treatment has been completed, but the patients' coherent narrative has not.