What is the effect of a low literacy talking book on patient knowledge, anxiety and communication before radiation therapy starts? A pilot study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Radiation therapy is a common cancer treatment, requiring timely information to help patients prepare for treatment. We pilot tested a low literacy, psycho-educational talking book (written booklet, with accompanying audio recording) to examine (i) the effect of the tool on knowledge, anxiety and communication; (ii) acceptability, and (iii) how it was used in appointments.

Methods

A pre-post design was employed. Patients scheduled to receive radiation therapy for any cancer were recruited from two hospitals in Sydney, Australia. Participants were sent the talking book before treatment planning and completed baseline and follow-up surveys, before and after the intervention.

Results

Forty participants were recruited, and 39 completed all study assessments.

SUBMITTER: Smith-Lickess SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9714514 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature