Aim When patients commence radiotherapy (RT) it is vital they have a good understanding of their treatment and access to relevant information. This project aimed to determine whether the information received by patients commencing at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in East Melbourne and Sunshine Hopsital Radiation Therapy Centre is appropriate and sufficient. We aimed to conclude how patients would prefer to be provided with this information and plan to utilise the results to further develop our information processes.

Method Following ethics approval, patients commencing RT were asked to complete a short survey. The responses to questions were in a multiple choice format with some allowing the patient to elaborate with a written response. The survey attained the patient’s opinion on the information they receive from the RT’s prior to beginning their treatment.

Results Analysis of the data has shown that 78% of patients across both sites had a sound understanding of radiotherapy prior to commencing treatment. 97.6% of patients felt their information needs were met by the radiation therapist in their pre-treatment information sessions, and 96% felt prepared for their first treatment. 20% of patients felt they would benefit from further written information, the use of multimedia in their pre-treatment information session, or a group information session and department tour.

Conclusion The results have shown that a vast majority of the patients surveyed felt prepared for their radiotherapy treatment and satisfied with the information they were given. While this reflects positively on the information processes at both Sunshine Hospital Radiation Therapy Centre and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre East Melbourne, there is potential for further development. The results will be utilized to determine how to improve the pre-treatment information process, be it through the introduction of multimedia before the commencement of treatment, or by updating the information sheets and pamphlets available to patients.