Interpreting the information behaviour of patients and families in palliative cancer care : a practical approach

Abstract

An exploratory study on information needs and information behaviour was conducted with patients and families in a palliative cancer care setting in 2007 in South Africa. It showed differences between information needs reported by patients and families, and healthcare professionals’ perceptions thereof. This article considers how healthcare settings with the support of libraries can make a difference in supporting the information behaviour of patients and families. It discusses support with unrecognised information needs, information needs occurring at different disease stages, information on emotional and psychosocial issues, information needs that are difficult to discuss, and the need for individualisation and contextualising.