A Comparison of the Request Process and Outcomes in Adult and Pediatric Organ Donation.

Background And Objectives: Although existing studies suggest that factors affecting families' decisions regarding pediatric organ donation mirror those for adult patients, health professionals working in this area maintain that pediatric and adult decision-makers differ in significant ways. This study compared the request process, experiences, and authorization decisions between family decision-makers (FDMs) of adult and pediatric donors and nondonors.

Methods: Perceptions of the donation request were collected via telephone interviews with 1601 FDMs approached by staff from 9 US organ procurement organizations (OPOs).

Influences of patient sociodemographics on cancer information received through the first 9 months of treatment.

This study evaluates the amount and change of information cancer patients report receiving related to disease, diagnostic tests, treatments, physical care, and psychosocial resources over 9 months of treatment. Information received by newly diagnosed, stages II-IV cancer patients receiving treatment (N = 139) at baseline, 4, and 9 months is examined through a two-stage latent growth model. Each information-received category was modeled with latent variables of intercept and slope.

The value of an educational video before consultation with a radiation oncologist.

This study aims to assess the efficacy of a radiation therapy (RT) education video for patients referred for treatment. The investigators produced a 23-min guide to radiation therapy DVD, combining didactic material and patient narratives. Patients (n=32) had not yet received their initial consultation.

Cancer patients' information needs the first nine months after diagnosis.

Objective: Cancer patients' information needs about disease, diagnostic tests, treatments, physical care, and psychosocial resources during treatment are examined.

Methods: Information needs of newly diagnosed, Stages II-IV cancer patients receiving treatment (N=138) were studied over nine months. Information needs were assessed using The Toronto Informational Needs Questionnaire (TINQ).