Information needs of patients with meningiomas

The aim of this descriptive, cross-sectional study was to determine information requirements of patients with typical meningiomas after surgery. The study sample consisted of 20 patients who underwent surgery for brain tumours in neurosurgery clinics of a university hospital. Permission to conduct research was obtained from all patients and from the hospital. Before the surgery, a booklet was given to patients for training. Patients were followed up one, three, six and 12 months later by the phone after the surgery and asked to report their problems. All questions were recorded and answered. Data were collected by the socio-demographic, patient symptom and health status questionnaire. Descriptive data were analyzed using percentage and arithmetic averages. Comparative statistics were evaluated using chi-square. Patients wanted information about diet, physical therapy and rehabilitation, quick thinking difficulties, fasting, headache, irritability, personality change, fatigue, driving, deep vein thrombosis during the follow up. There was a significant difference between their health status and fear of seizures and recurrent tumor, forgetfulness, lack of concentration (p < 0.05). Although they received health education and booklet, patients needed more information during the 12 months after surgery. Therefore it suggested that monitoring the patient's needs is necessary.