The Need for Patient-centered Education Among Patients Newly Diagnosed With a Pituitary Tumor

Abstract

Objectives: Brain tumors, including pituitary adenomas (PA), cause anxiety and distress, with a high unmet need for information correlating with increased anxiety. Condition-specific education may alleviate anxiety. We explored patients' experience around the diagnosis of a PA and piloted a patient education intervention to address peridiagnostic anxiety in adults diagnosed with PA.

Methods: Anxiety, patient satisfaction, patient knowledge, and need for information were measured prior to, immediately after, and 1 month following the appointment in this multimethods study. A phone interview to explore patient diagnostic and intervention experiences was analyzed using qualitative methods.

Results: A total of 17 patients participated in the study; 15 completed the interview. The baseline need for information was high. Disease-specific anxiety decreased, and patient knowledge and satisfaction increased significantly after the initial visit. Interview analysis identified 3 main themes: (1) the importance of communication; (2) the need for information; and (3) the impact of the diagnosis on patient experience.

Conclusions: For patients with newly diagnosed PA, the diagnostic experience was associated with high levels of anxiety. Patients expressed a need for information. Information delivery reduced anxiety and had a positive impact on patient satisfaction.

Practice implications: The study findings suggest a need for a streamlined diagnostic process with readily accessible information.