Meeting information needs on cancer-related fatigue: an exploration of views held by Italian patients and nurses

Background Interest in cancer-related fatigue has been growing over the last two decades and efforts have beendedicated to investigate this topic. However, researchaddressing the adequacy of educational resources forpatients with this distressing and common symptom islacking. Only one study has been undertaken and thisexplored Swiss and British patients’ views.Materials and methods The current study replicated andextended the study previously undertaken in the UnitedKingdom (UK) and Switzerland. It sought views on theadequacy of materials on cancer-related fatigue available topatients with cancer living in Italy, and to determine theeducational preferences and needs of Italian patients withcancer-related fatigue. These were attained through conductof two focus groups. One was undertaken with Italianpatients and the other with a group of Italian nurses.Main results Findings from this study supported patients’desire for timely, accurate and individualised information.Barriers to effective fatigue education included the limiteddialogue regarding fatigue initiated in clinical settings. Itappeared that nurses and patients held different priorities insymptom management. Further, it was acknowledged thatthere was often insufficient time to inform patientsadequately about fatigue. Participants considered writtenmaterials as helpful complements to oral information, thussupporting the provision of information in both forms.However, it was clear that fewer written resourcesconcerning cancer-related fatigue were available in Italycompared to either in Switzerland or in the UK.Conclusion The study supported the view within thecurrent literature that whilst cancer-related fatigue isrecognised as a frequent and disruptive symptom, patienteducation about this symptom and its management stillneeds to be enhanced. The resources available to educatepatients about cancer-related fatigue should be improvedand made more accessible to patients who experience it.