Knowledge of Health Care Terminology in Persons with Cancer
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Authors
Turner, Kimberlee Ann
Issue Date
1991-11
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Cancer Patients--Evaluation , Medical care--Terminology
Alternative Title
Abstract
The problem: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of health care terminology in persons with a diagnosis of cancer.
Procedure. "The Informational Questionnaire" and "Health Care Terminology Questionnaire" were mailed to a sample of 2,684 persons with cancer. The sample was selected from the cancer registry of a midwestern hospital. "The Informational
Questionnaire" consisted of questions about sex, marital status, educational level, ethnic origin, number of hospitalizations, health care professionals in the family, perceived knowledge level, length of cancer diagnosis, age and size of the community. The "Health Care Terminology
Questionnaire" was a 50-question multiple choice test measuring knowledge of health care terminology.
Findings. There were significant differences in the knowledge of health care terminology when the sample was categorized by sex, educational level, the presence of health care professionals in the immediate family, perceived knowledge level, size of the community, age, marital status and ethnic origin (p < .05). There were no significant
differences in the knowledge of health care terminology when the sample was categorized by length of cancer diagnosis and number of hospitalizations.
Conclusions. The knowledge persons with cancer had of health care terminology varied depending on demographic variables. In assessing learning needs of persons with cancer, knowledge of health care terminology and variables which might influence such knowledge are vital for a thorough assessment.
Recommendations. Recommendations for further research include the following: develop and test a new tool with more technical health care terminology; assess clients' knowledge of more technical health care terminology; and assess the
knowledge of health care terminology in other client populations.
Description
111 leaves. Advisor: Barbara Haag
Citation
Publisher
Drake University