Seeking and avoiding information: a qualitative study of the information behaviour of cancer patients

Abstract

Introduction. Cancer patients seek information about their health and illness in many ways. Some seek information intensively while others avoid doing so. Through the cancer continuum, individuals may choose to meet their needs using several different approaches. In this paper, we explore how cancer patients actively seek information and, in some cases, cautiously and consciously avoid information that may be relevant, but does not meet their needs. Method. Semi-structured interviews with nine former and current cancer patients were used for data collection. Analysis. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analysed using a theoretical model of cancer information behaviour. Results. Among the interviewees, different patterns of information seeking were identified, from intensely seeking information to avoiding it. Additionally, some cancer patients can actively seek information while consciously avoiding information that is relevant but doesn't meet their needs which can be effective approaches to protecting individuals from information, they are not able to cope with. Conclusions. This empirical study explores how behaviour of information seeking and avoidance can overlap and be used simultaneously.