Orientation and information provision is the act of providing patients and others information about their disease, treatment, and services to be provided. This often includes general information about the organization, staff members with whom the patient may interact, physical structures and layout, and transportation or parking. The intervention differs from psychoeducational interventions in that it is not interactive with patients or families and does not include components such as support or counseling. Orientation and information provision may be done via print or electronic media. In addition to lymphedema, this type of intervention has been examined in oncology for effects in anxiety and depression.
Chan, R.J., Webster, J., & Marquart, L. (2011). Information interventions for orienting patients and their carers to cancer care facilities. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 12, CD008273.
To assess effects of interventions that orient patients and carers to a cancer care facility and to the services provided
Initial searching identified 14,319 records. Investigators assessed 21 full-text articles for eligibility, and the systemaic review included a sample of four. Two studies were included in meta-analysis. Study quality was assessed using guidelines in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.
Effects of Interventions
This review shows that orientation programs may reduce distress in patients with cancer at the beginning of their involvement with a cancer care facility, but the quality of the evidence is low. Orientation programs may have some effect on general distress and symptoms of depression; however, findings do not show significant effects on anxiety.
These findings are limited by the small number of trials included, low quality of studies, and high heterogeneity found related to some outcomes.
Orientation of the patient, the patient's family, and those who care for the patient may help to reduce a patient's symptoms of depression and level of distress; however, this study does not reveal strong support for these outcomes. The most effective format and timing of orientation approaches are unclear.
Husson, O., Mols, F., & van de Poll-Franse, L.V. (2011). The relation between information provision and health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression among cancer survivors: A systematic review. Annals of Oncology: Official Journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology/ESMO, 22(4), 761–772.
To complete a systematic review of available literature regarding the relationship between information provision and health-related quality of life, anxiety, and depression
Additional research is needed before making definitive conclusions about information interventions is justified; because of methodological constraints, the results in the studies examined did not reach statistical significance. The fast and recent development of the field of patient-reported outcomes in cancer survivorship will make conducting studies of better quality possible.
Wysocki, W.M., Mitus, J., Komorowski, A.L., & Karolewski, K. (2012). Impact of preoperative information on anxiety and disease-related knowledge in women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer: A randomized clinical trial. Acta Chirurgica Belgica, 112, 111–115.
To evaluate the impact of information, provided preoperatively, on the anxiety and knowledge of women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer; to assess the specific impact of additional, structured preoperative information (delivered by means of educational/informational video) on perioperative anxiety and treatment- and disease-related knowledge in women undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer
Routine information was delivered to both arms of the study. Information was not standardized and included the typical conversation with the attending surgeon, surgical informed consent, and practical information from nurses. The treatment arm provided additional information delivered preoperatively via video; the information was recorded by a breast cancer survivor. Information in the video was obtained from the National Cancer Institute’s website. All patients were prospectively followed for one month (further follow-up was performed according to local treatment protocols) at 24–36 hours, 7 days, and 30 days postoperatively.
Open-labeled, randomized controlled trial
Patients who participated in the study showed no evident or significant improvement in perioperative anxiety or treatment- and disease-related knowledge, with the exception of knowledge concerning available primary treatment modalities.
Patient education, as well as emotional support, should always be important preoperatively and must continue postoperatively.