Dataset Information

Knowledge, perceptions, and management of cancer-related fatigue: the patients' perspective.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

This study aimed to assess cancer patients' knowledge and perceptions regarding fatigue and to provide up-to-date information on the current fatigue management from the patients' perspective.

Methods

The FiX study recruited 2508 cancer patients approximately 2 years after diagnosis via a cancer registry in Germany. Participants completed a questionnaire on their knowledge and perceptions of fatigue and the management received.

Results

More than half of respondents (58%), especially among the elderly patients, did not feel well informed about fatigue. Overall, 41% reported having never been asked about being exhausted by their treating physician. Even fewer patients stated that general practitioners or nurses have asked if they felt exhausted. Only 13% of patients who had experienced severe fatigue had received a fatigue assessment by means of a rating scale or questionnaire-although this is recommended by existing guidelines for fatigue screening. Health care professionals seemed less likely to address fatigue with elderly as well as female patients. The most commonly reported measure against fatigue was exercise or regular physical activity (68%). However, this was mostly done on patients' own initiative. Psychological support was rarely used (13%) and only in approximately half of the cases upon the advice of a physician. Yoga, another promising intervention against fatigue, was performed by only 9% of patients.

Conclusions

Our study indicates deficits in terms of knowledge, education, screening, counseling, and treatment for fatigue and highlights starting points for targeted improvements in fatigue management based on patients' needs.

SUBMITTER: Schmidt ME

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7892505 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Knowledge, perceptions, and management of cancer-related fatigue: the patients' perspective.

Schmidt Martina E ME Bergbold Susanne S Hermann Silke S Steindorf Karen K

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 20200829 4

<h4>Purpose</h4>This study aimed to assess cancer patients' knowledge and perceptions regarding fatigue and to provide up-to-date information on the current fatigue management from the patients' perspective.<h4>Methods</h4>The FiX study recruited 2508 cancer patients approximately 2 years after diagnosis via a cancer registry in Germany. Participants completed a questionnaire on their knowledge and perceptions of fatigue and the management received.<h4>Results</h4>More than half of respondents ( ...[more]

PMID: 32860177

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Dataset Information

Knowledge, perceptions, and management of cancer-related fatigue: the patients' perspective.

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Knowledge, perceptions, and management of cancer-related fatigue: the patients' perspective.

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