[The learning needs of the cancer patient: a conceptual analysis]

This paper offers a conceptual analysis of the term "learning need" of a cancer population. This analysis was made according to the steps recommended by Wilson (1969). In order to properly understand the essential features of the learning need concept, it is defined by focusing on its characteristics: cognitive knowledge, affective knowledge, psychomotor knowledge and the notion of learning. For the sake of clarity, the expression "learning need" was analyzed by examining a group of closely related concepts: information need, desire to learn and search for information. Although it is often used, the boundary between these concepts is not clearly identified. Some of these concepts may even be confused for each other. The paper concludes by explaining the nature of the cancer patient's learning needs.