Sample
cancer, cognitive impairments
CANCER, ADVANCED CANCER
Four trained students from the School of Public Health at Shandong University randomly selected cancer patients from the hospital information system at a 3A level hospital in Shandong Province in China. The students were trained in interview techniques and research protocols. The selection criteria were aged over 40 years old; diagnosed with stage III or IV cancer; hospitalized and receiving active treatment (such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy) and without cognitive impairments.With the help of medical staff, our investigators met the patients or their families to explain the purpose and significance of the study, discuss confidentiality and data security and receive written informed consent. The trained students then conducted the face‐to‐face questionnaire interviews. Each respondent received a cash reward of 50 yuan after completing the survey. The study was approved by Shandong University Ethics Committee.Between August and November 2018, from 640 cancer hospital medical records fitting the selection criteria at a 3A level hospital in Shandong Province, we randomly selected 188 terminal EOL advanced cancer patients using a random generator programme to ensure all eligible patients had an equal chance of selection. Five patients did not participate in the survey, leaving a sample of 183 patients and a 97.3% response rate. Finally, 179 patients completed the survey.