Knowledge of Health Care Terminology in Persons with Cancer

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.

Grantor dc:publisher

Drake University

Year dc:date.issued

1991

Author dc:creator

• Turner, Kimberlee Ann

• Cancer Patients--Evaluation
• Medical care--Terminology

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Dc Identifier Other

1991 .T87

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:escholarshare.drake.edu:2092/598