Preparing patients for threatening medical treatments: Effects of a chemotherapy educational DVD on anxiety, unmet needs, and self-efficacy

Abstract

Goals of work: Based on meta-analyses regarding the preparation of patients for potentially threatening medical procedures, a DVD, incorporating behavioral role modelling, was developed to prepare patients for chemotherapy and assist them to self-manage side effects. It was hypothesized that patients who watched the DVD (vs those who did not) would report (1) lower anxiety; (2) higher self-efficacy related to coping with treatment side effects; (3) fewer supportive care needs; and (4) higher satisfaction with information received. It was further hypothesized that these effects would be stronger in those perceiving their treatment intent to be curative rather than palliative. Materials and me..