Annika Diekmann1,2, Christian Heuser1,2, Barbara Schellenberger1,2, Barbara Bohmeier1,2, Christine Holmberg3, Lena Ansmann4, Nicole Ernstmann1,2. 1. Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research, Department for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany. 2. Center for Integrated Oncology Bonn (CIO), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany. 3. Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany. 4. Division for Organizational Health Services Research, Department of Health Services Research, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: In some breast and gynecological cancer centers in Germany, patients participate in multidisciplinary tumor conferences (MTCs) during the discussion of their own case. The aim of this study was to explore providers' perceptions concerning patients' emotional experiences during participation in an MTC by comparing the perspectives of providers with and without experience with patient participation. METHODS: In this study, semi-structured interviews with n = 30 providers in n = 6 breast and gynecological cancer centers in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, were conducted. One half of the providers had no experience and the other half had experience with patient participation in MTCs. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed, and content analysis was performed. RESULTS: The results of this study show a mixed picture of met, unmet and disappointed needs of patients and their emotional reactions, which mainly overlap between both provider groups. Our results show that both provider groups report positive and negative experiences or expectations. CONCLUSION: The mixed results regarding expected and perceived patient experiences from the providers' perspective suggest that patient participation in MTCs may not be exclusively of benefit. Further research on advantages and disadvantages for patients and on feasibility from the providers' perspective is necessary and will be conducted within the PINTU project.
OBJECTIVE: In some breast and gynecological cancer centers in Germany, patients participate in multidisciplinary tumor conferences (MTCs) during the discussion of their own case. The aim of this study was to explore providers' perceptions concerning patients' emotional experiences during participation in an MTC by comparing the perspectives of providers with and without experience with patient participation. METHODS: In this study, semi-structured interviews with n = 30 providers in n = 6 breast and gynecological cancer centers in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, were conducted. One half of the providers had no experience and the other half had experience with patient participation in MTCs. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed, and content analysis was performed. RESULTS: The results of this study show a mixed picture of met, unmet and disappointed needs of patients and their emotional reactions, which mainly overlap between both provider groups. Our results show that both provider groups report positive and negative experiences or expectations. CONCLUSION: The mixed results regarding expected and perceived patient experiences from the providers' perspective suggest that patient participation in MTCs may not be exclusively of benefit. Further research on advantages and disadvantages for patients and on feasibility from the providers' perspective is necessary and will be conducted within the PINTU project.
Authors: Lena Ansmann; Christian Heuser; Annika Diekmann; Barbara Schellenberger; Claudia Biehl; Mahmoud Danaei; Christian Eichler; Dina Heinz; Andrea Hocke; Wolfram Malter; Badrig Melekian; Havva Metin; Alexander Mustea; Jenci Palatty; Uwe Peisker; Ines Petschat; Nicole Ernstmann Journal: Cancer Med Date: 2021-08-17 Impact factor: 4.452