Information needs

Objectives: To review current understanding of the knowledge and information needs of informal caregivers in palliative settings. Data sources: Seven electronic databases were searched for the period January 1994–November 2006: Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Embase, Ovid, Zetoc and Pubmed using a meta-search engine (Metalib®). Key journals and reference lists of selected papers were hand searched. Review methods: Included studies were peer-reviewed journal articles presenting original research.

The purpose of this paper is to report on research in progress. The research is being undertaken by the Sacred Heart Palliative Care Community Service (SHPCCS) multidisciplinary team on information and communication issues for carers of palliative care patients and patients without carers. The aim of the study is to explore the information needs of informal carers and patients without carers. A mixed methods, mixed methodology within a case study design has been use to conduct the study and the progress thus far has highlighted a number of challenges for the team.