[Information needs of patients with prostate cancer. Pronounced differences between individuals after diagnosis of localised prostate carcinoma].

Background: In the context of shared decision-making it is important to know more about information needs of prostate cancer patients. Therefore, this study investigates content and extent of these information needs.
Material and Methods: We surveyed 330 patients of 4 urological Clinics in Switzerland with a well-established written questionnaire between 3 and 24 months after their diagnosis of an early-stage prostate cancer. A total of 179 patients responded and 128 (39%) questionnaires were entered into final statistical analysis.
Results: Patients expressed broad information needs and pronounced differences between individuals were observed. Each of the 92 questions presented was rated as "essential" by at least 18% of the patients. On average 50 questions were rated as 'essential'. One patient rated only four questions as 'essential' whereas another participant reported all 92 questions as being 'essential' to him.
Conclusions: Concerning patient education it is important to identify the individual information needs of each prostate cancer patient separately.