Tailored communication for older patients with cancer: Using a cluster analysis to identify patient profiles based on information needs

Introduction
Understanding how information needs of older patients with cancer vary is essential for patient-centered communication. Little research has considered the potential complex patterns in information needs among older patients with cancer. This study aims to identify profiles of older patients with cancer based on differences in their information needs.

Materials and Methods
Two-hundred and twenty-three patients with cancer and survivors aged 70 years or older completed an online survey. Based on an extensive scoping review, we included measures on information needs (i.e., monitoring coping style and type of information needs as measured with QUOTE) and related factors (i.e., psychological distress, ability, motivation, participation in decision making, and demographics). Profiles were identified using k-means cluster analysis.

Results
Analysis revealed three profiles of older patients with cancer exhibiting differences in monitoring coping style and type of information needs: the so-called “information seeker” (38.8%), the “listener” (47.2%), and the “information avoider” (14.0%). Besides differences in information needs, the profiles differed on psychological distress (i.e., intrusive thinking, cancer worry, and intolerance of uncertainty), ability (i.e., self-efficacy in interaction with physician), and motivation (i.e., information goals and future time perspective).

Discussion
Our findings revealed a nuanced perspective to information needs of older patients with cancer by combining two measurements of information needs with factors contributing to these needs. Clinicians could use these results to increase their awareness of the complexity and heterogeneity of information needs in older patients with cancer and to tailor their information to the needs of older patients.