Development and Test of an Information Needs Scale for Outpatients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Lee, Eun Hyun; Choi, Jin Hyuk; Lim, Ho Yeong; Seo, Mi Sook; Kim, Hugh C

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop and test an Information Needs Scale for Korean outpatients undergoing chemotherapy (INS-C).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty-three items of the INS-C had content validity based upon findings in the literature and the experiences of expert oncology physicians and nurses. Each item consisted of a five-point Likert scale from 1 (don't want to know) to 5 (want to know very much). The items were administered to 175 Korean outpatients undergoing chemotherapy. The data obtained was analysed using a factor analysis for construct validity and Cronabch's alpha for internal consistent reliability.
RESULTS
From the factor analysis, six subscales were derived significantly. The six subscales explained 64.62% of the variance. The subscales were named Side-Effects/Investigative Tests (9 items), Spread of Disease (4 items), Financial Cost (2 items), Treatment (7 items), Activities/ Eating (6 items), and Interrelationships/Support (5 items). The Cronbach's alpha of the total INS-C was .95, and the alpha of the subscales ranged from .77 to .91.
CONCLUSION
The present study suggests that the INS-C is a reliable and valid instrument to measure the information needs of outpatients undergoing chemotherapy. Health professionals caring for patients with cancer should assess the informational needs of their patients using a reliable and valid instrument and be prepared to provide accurate information.