Evaluation of cancer patient education and services.

On their first visit to the Regional Cancer Program, all patients are provided with the "Information for Patients and Families" binder that was designed by an interdisciplinary cancer patient education team. Patients were asked to complete a survey to evaluate the usefulness of this binder. Timely delivery of the "Information for Patients and Families" binder validates a higher level of satisfaction with oncology services because patients are better informed and this translates into a reduction of psychosocial problems. As a result of this study, a decision was made to provide the binder earlier in the patient's journey (e.g., post surgery for thoracic and brain tumor patients).