Health communication: perception of users in an oncology service

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the perception of the person with cancer, receiving treatment, on the health communication, identifying their preferences on the transmission of information related to illness and treatment, for the user himself and his family, and the possible barriers to access the right to information and to exercise autonomy  Materials and Methods: Exploratory and descriptive study of qualitative approach. The technique used was the “Timeline” combined with a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed according to Bardin’s Content Analysis Methodology.
Results: The study included ten participants (n=10). Most participants (n=8) highlighted that they wanted to receive information about the disease. However, they do not feel able to participate in the decision-making process on the treatment (n=9). Data analysis also revealed six thematic categories: the importance of knowing about the disease; access to health services; interest in knowing about the disease and participating in treatment; family participation in treatment; barriers to communication and; health worker role as a facilitator of quality health communication. 
Conclusion: The inclusion in the communication process is expected by most participants of this study, which provides conditions for exercising autonomy. However, the challenge remains to prepare health workers to play a facilitator role on this process. It is suggested to implement the principles of the National Humanization Policy for addressing this challenge.