30至49歲女性乳癌患者之資訊焦慮與因應行為研究

Abstract

根據衛服部數據統計，30至49歲女性乳癌發生人數逐年上升，隨著網際網路的發達，網路也成為許多患者搜尋訊息的重要平台，獲取健康資訊的管道也逐漸多樣化。透過網際網路，資訊取得相對便利，女性乳癌患者除了從醫生獲得權威建議與診療策略之外，還會額外尋求相關的醫學知識與治療模式，期待醫護專家滿足她們多元的資訊需求，然而患者主動尋找資訊時容易遇上困難，同時搜尋到的資訊也會導致患者陷入篩選與理解的困境，造成患者的使用焦慮。因此，本研究目的為了解30至49歲女性乳癌患者者於確診時期所產生的資訊需求與資訊尋求行為，以及其資訊尋求過程中產生資訊焦慮情境之原因與因應行為，期望從中發現減少資訊焦慮情境之方法，提供女性乳癌患者與相關醫療照護機構相關因應對策與較佳之資訊提供方式，以便未來衛教資訊建置與傳播的參考，減少健康資訊帶來負面感受的可能性，幫助女性乳癌患者妥善運用資訊，有效了解病情與治療方案，順利進行治療決策。本研究以30至49歲女性乳癌患者為研究對象，透過半結構式訪談法結合關鍵事件法來搜集資料，總共訪談13位患者。研究結果發現，30至49歲女性乳癌患者確診後會主動了解自身疾病與治療方式等相關健康資訊，資訊需求與管道多元，因網際網路的普遍性與社群媒體的便利性，健康資訊與病友群體間的交流更加便利，互動頻率增加，內容也較豐富多元。當資訊尋求過程中遭遇資訊超載、資訊知能缺乏、外在壓力與龐雜的資訊管道上述四種困境與挫折時，容易引發資訊焦慮，造成心理負擔。從中發現患者們因此產生資訊焦慮因應行為包括迴避資訊、相信專業醫療人員、專注現病程階段所需資訊而不過度發散、病友關係支持與實踐健康資訊內容。本研究分析研究結果後提出以下結論：30至49歲女性乳癌患者的健康資訊需求以了解自身病情與治療方法為主，獲取資訊的管道多元，使用網際網路與社群媒體能獲取更多健康資訊以利後續治療決策，病友支持關係是乳癌患者的重要資訊來源之一，提供具體病程經驗的同時也會帶來負面資訊，形成資訊焦慮因素。資訊超載、資訊知能缺乏、負面資訊、外在壓力和龐雜的資訊管道是促成資訊焦慮的因素，乳癌患者藉由主動迴避過量資訊、病友支持關係與信任專業醫療人員的因應行為，能緩解資訊焦慮。最終，根據研究結果建議30至49歲乳癌女性患者增進自身資訊能力與資訊知能；醫療院所擔任患者們的資訊嚮導，整合患者所需的資訊；建議政府單位改善補助制度措施，惠及年輕乳癌群體。According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of female breast cancer cases aged 30 to 49 is gradually increasing. With the development of the technology, the Internet has become an important platform for many patients to search for information, and the resources for obtaining health information are gradually diversified. Accessibility of information is relatively convenient through the Internet. In addition to obtaining authoritative advice and diagnosis and treatment strategies from doctors, female breast cancer patients will also seek additional relevant medical knowledge and treatment models, expecting medical experts to meet their information needs. However, It is easy to encounter difficulties for patients when they searching for information. At the same time, the information can also cause patients to fall into the dilemma of screening and comprehension, leading patients to information anxiety. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand the information needs and information-seeking behaviors of female breast cancer patients aged 30 to 49 during the period of diagnosis, as well as the causes and coping behaviors of information anxiety situations during the information-seeking process, hoping to find ways to reduce information anxiety. The situational approach provides female breast cancer patients and relevant medical care institutions with relevant countermeasures and better information provision methods, so as to serve as a reference for future construction and dissemination of health education information, reduce the possibility of negative feelings caused by health information, help female breast cancer patients properly use information to effectively understand the condition and treatment plans, and make smooth treatment decisions.This study focused on female breast cancer patients aged 30 to 49 years old. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews combined with the critical incident method. A total of 13 patients were interviewed. The research results found that female breast cancer patients aged 30 to 49 will take the initiative to learn about their own disease and treatment methods and other related health information after diagnosis. The information needs and resources are diverse. Due to the ubiquity of the Internet and the convenience of social media, health information and communication among patient groups is more convenient, the frequency of interactions increases, and the content is richer and more diverse. When the information seeking process encounters the following four dilemmas and frustrations: information overload, lack of information knowledge, external pressure, and complex information resource, it is easy to cause information anxiety and stress. It was found that patients' response behaviors to information anxiety include avoiding information, trusting professional medical personnel, focusing on the information needed at the current stage of the disease without excessive divergence, patient relationship support, and practicing health information content. This study results the following conclusions: The health information needs of female breast cancer patients aged 30 to 49 are mainly to understand their own condition and treatment methods. There are multiple resources for obtaining information. Using the Internet and social media can obtain more health information. Information is used to facilitate subsequent treatment decisions. Patient support relationships are one of the important sources of information for breast cancer patients. While providing specific experience of the disease process, it also brings negative information, leading to information anxiety factors. Information overload, lack of information knowledge, negative information, external pressure and complicated information channels are factors that contribute to information anxiety. Breast cancer patients can alleviate information anxiety by proactively avoiding excessive information, supporting patient relationships and trusting professional medical staff.Based on the research results, it is recommended that female breast cancer patients aged 30 to 49 improve their information ability and information knowledge. Medical institutions should become information guides for patients and integrate the information needs of patients. It is recommended that government improve subsidy policy to benefit young breast cancer groups.