Patient Education and Consumer Health Information: A Study of the Patient and Family Resource Center at the UNC-CH Cancer Center

by Ritter, L

The purpose of this study is to provide a complete description of the UNC Cancer Center’s Patient and Family Resource Center in its context through an analysis of qualitative comments from interviews with the Center administrators, a health sciences librarian, healthcare professionals and Resource Center users (n=10). These perspectives offer unique information about the provision of consumer health information from providers and users of cancer information.

The interview data gathered about the Resource Center answers questions about how consumer health information is provided, and how the Resource Center is meeting established goals of informing and teaching consumers while promoting positive interactions between patients and medical staff within the Cancer Center. The data also addresses future improvements regarding what resources are lacking, and how the services offered can be extended or improved.