The impact of an empowering Internet-based Breast Cancer Patient Pathway programme on breast cancer patients' knowledge: a randomised control trial.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of Breast Cancer Patient Pathway program.


METHODS
In one Finnish university hospital during 2008-10 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients were randomised to the intervention (n = 50) and the control groups (n = 48). The breast cancer patient's knowledge expectations and perception of received knowledge, knowledge, the source of information and satisfaction in received patient education were measured. Baseline and one year follow up data collection was conducted.


RESULTS
No differences were found in knowledge expectations between the groups at baseline. Patients in the control group evaluated their perception of received knowledge to be higher and they were more satisfied with the patient education they received from the hospital staff. However, the Intervention group's knowledge level was higher. The most important source of information was the healthcare professionals in both groups.


CONCLUSION
The results of study indicate that when patient education increases, patients' knowledge expectations increase as well, while their perceptions of received knowledge decrease. Future research is needed to examine the relationship between patients' knowledge expectations and perception of received knowledge as patients' knowledge level increases.


PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS
Patient education has to be individually adjusted, taking patients' expectations into account.