Evaluation of Pamphlets Used to Give Patients Instruction on Cancer Chemotherapy That Are Applicable to All Drug Regimens

Abstract

To ensure that highly cytotoxic cancer chemotherapy can be performed effectively and safely, it is essential to have patients understand the chemotherapy regimen they are receiving in such aspects as the efficacy of the anti-cancer agents being used, their possible adverse effects and how they will be handled, and points requiring caution in daily life. To achieve this, pamphlets applicable to a wide variety of regimens were prepared on the basis of a consensus among clinicians in various related departments, and were given to patients at the discretion of the hospital. A pharmacist provided instruction on the respective drugs using the pamphlets and conducted a questionnaire survey to determine patients' assessments of this instruction. The results of the questionnaire showed that 95.8% of the patients surveyed found it “Useful”, 77.1% answered that they felt “Relieved” and 72.9% answered that they had “No increase in anxiety”. On the other hand, 12.5% of the patients complained of “Anxiety” and 16.7% answered that “Some points are difficult to understand”. The findings of the present study indicated that it is very useful for a pharmacist to give relevant information to patients receiving a variety of drug regimens using pamphlets, and patients should ask any questions or mention any anxieties they may have when receiving such instruction.