Medication risk communication with cancer patients in a Middle East cancer care setting

Abstract

Purpose: Cancer treatments are frequently associated with adverse effects, but there may be a cultural reluctance by care providers to be forthcoming with patients regarding these risks for fear of promoting nonadherence. Conversely, research in a number of countries indicates high levels of patient desire for this information. We sought to explore cancer patient experiences, satisfaction, and preferences for medication risk communication in a Middle East care setting.

Methods: We developed and administered a ten-item questionnaire (Arabic and English) to a convenience sample of consenting adult patients receiving treatment at the National Center for Cancer Care and Research in Qatar.

Results: One hundred and forty-three patients were interviewed. Most (88%) stated that the level of side effect information they received was sufficient, with physicians (86%) followed by pharmacists (39%) as the preferred sources. The majority (97%) agreed that knowing about possible side effects would help them recognize and manage the reaction, and 92% agreed that it would help them understand how to minimize or prevent the risks. Eighteen percent indicated that this information would make them not want to take treatment. Two-thirds (65%) had previously experienced intolerance to their cancer treatment regimen.

Conclusion: Most patients surveyed expressed preference for the details of possible side effects they may encounter in their treatment. However, one in five considered such information a factor for nonadherence, indicating the need for patient-specific approaches when communicating medication risks.

Keywords: Middle East; cancer treatment; risk communication.

Figure 1

Reported recall of actual sources of safety information and expressed preferences. Notes: Family/friends or the Internet was not option for the first question related to recall of actual sources of safety information. Solicited preferences for safety information sources were not distinguished between type of nurse and type of pharmacist, and so the same value is reported.

Figure 2

Patient level of agreement that knowledge of possible treatment side effects would promote nonadherence according to the region of origin. Notes: GCC includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Yemen. *Level of agreement statistically significantly different between GCC and MENA (P-value =0.029) and between GCC and Philippines (P-value =0.030). Abbreviations: GCC, Gulf Coast Corporation; MENA, Middle East and North Africa; SE, Southeast.