A Bayesian analysis of healthcare information needs among family caregivers to promote cancer adaptation in female patients

Abstract

INTRODUCTION : Family caregivers (FCGs) of cancer patients usually utilize healthcare information to assist them in daily cancer care at home. However, there is another significant utilization in cancer care: promoting cancer adaptation. There are limited insights on how the utilization of healthcare information among FCGs may assist their role in promoting cancer adaptation, especially among female patients. In this study, we aimed to examine how types of demanded healthcare information affect the FCG’s role in promoting cancer adaptation. METHODS : This secondary analysis employed the Bayesian Mindsponge Framework and its analytics in the statistical analysis of a dataset on 60 FCGs of female cancer patients (n = 60), in five community settings in Surabaya, Indonesia. RESULTS : Findings showed that among the six types of demanded healthcare information, FCGs with a higher tendency to demand cancer-specific information are more likely to need support in catalyzing the adaptation of female cancer patients (β = 0.28, SD = 0.24). Meanwhile, FCGs with a higher demand for information on alternative therapies are less likely to need support in catalyzing cancer adaptation (β = -0.38, SD = 0.20). Other types of healthcare information have ambiguous effects on the need for support in promoting cancer adaptation. CONCLUSION : on This study reveals that the demanded cancer-specific information, e.g., cancer’s prognosis or likely outcome, must be prioritized during information disclosure to FCGs to promote cancer adaptation among female patients. By setting proper priority in health information disclosure among cancer stakeholders, especially FCGs, the facilitation of the cancer adaptation process can be optimized.