Table 1. Participant characteristics.
| N | |
|---|---|
|
Patients (N=81) | |
| Mean age, years±s.d. (range) | 65±10.4 (40–87) |
| Male | 57 (70%) |
| Partner (yes)a | 51 (76%) |
| Educational levela,b | |
| Low | 20 (30%) |
| Intermediate | 30 (45%) |
| High | 16 (24%) |
| Companion in consultation | 73 (90%) |
|
Clinicians (N=17) | |
| Mean age, years±s.d. (range) | 39±6.3 (27–50) |
| Male | 5 (29%)c |
| Median time since specialisation, years (range) | 4 (0–20) |
| Median number of rectal cancer patients per month (range) | 3 (1–8) |
a
Fourteen patients did not complete the self-report questionnaire.
b
Educational levels included low=completed no/primary school; intermediate=completed lower general secondary education/vocational training; or high=completed pre-university education/high vocational training/university. One patient did not respond to this question.
c
Male radiation oncologists audio taped a total of 20 (25%) consultations.