薬理と治療

Abstract

Recently, internet revolution has enabled information seeking with easier access to health‒related information; however, internet‒based inaccurate health information is a social concern in Japan. This study aimed to find ways to best utilize information provision about investigational medical care for the public. We conducted focus group interviews with nine cancer consultation specialists from Cancer Information and Support Centers（CISCs）on the kind of consultations regarding investigational medical care from cancer patients and their families, and the reasons for consultations. We qualitatively analyzed responses using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged regarding the consultation contents related to investigational medical care：“Vaguely searching for the treatment”,“Asking for concrete information about where and how they are treated”, and“Asking for concrete information on financial support”. Additionally, six themes emerged regarding the reasons for consultations：“insufficient communication with doctor”,“ inflow of information from the mass‒media”,“information from third parties”,“patient’s insufficient understanding about his/her condition and treatment”,“patient’s psychological state and strong expectations regarding（unknown）treatment”, and “patient’s actions triggered by strong hope”. Patient’s relationships with their doctor, information from the mass‒media and third parties, and patient’s strong wish to be cured lead them to seek information and cancer consultations to CISCs.This study suggested the importance of reinforcing the patient‒physician relationships and supportive environment to facilitate the relations and communication, accurate and more precise information provision from the various media, and empowerment of the patient and public critical health literacy in our information environment.