Actuaciones sobre la autonomía, información y participación de los pacientes con cáncer colorrectal en un Hospital de Día de Oncología Médica

Abstract

Introduction: In Spain, the Law 41/2002 on the Autonomy of the Patients and their Rights and Obligations states that all patients have to be informed in order to participate actively in the decision making process regarding the diagnosis and treatment of their diseases. However, cancer usually implies not pleasant information and the patient’s decision making process is therefore not easy. Objective: To determine the unmet needs of colorectal cancer patients regarding the autonomy, information and participation in a Day Care Unit. Methodology: This study was conducted in 3 steps: pre-intervention, intervention and post-intervention. Results: Between Nov/2007 and Feb/2008, 119 patients were included. The proposed improvements were to have a nurse office (68%), more written information (14%) and others (18%). Fifteen informative documents were created and a nurse office was open. Results of first (n=80) versus (vs) third (n= 39) steps were: accurate information (83% vs 87%), the patient thinks “that his disease is cancer” (57% vs 59%), to whom the patient wants to be informed (patient and relatives 85% vs 77%, only patient 10% vs 20%), their opinion about Informed Consent Form (very good/good 80% vs 86%), the patient knows his rights (47% vs 84%), knows the Law 41/2002 about Autonomy (1% vs 21%) and knows the Vital Will (0% vs 10%). Conclusions: These interventions have modified the patient knowledge of the Rights, the Law of Autonomy and the Vital Will. However, the number of patients that recognizes that their disease is a cancer has not been increased.

Keywords

• Ley de Autonomía
• Información
• Toma de Decisiones
• Instrucciones Previas
• Cáncer