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.