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As cancer survivorship rises, provision of information during cancer care is increasingly important, especially regarding potential impacts on patients' health-related quality of life. We sought to understand information needs patients had before initiating anti-cancer treatment using data from a qualitative study designed to examine appropriate recall periods in patient-reported outcome measures of physical function (PF). In this secondary analysis from the Patient Reports of Physical Functioning Study (PROPS) research program, we report on: What do patients wish they had known about their PF before starting treatment?

In this secondary analysis, we examined transcripts from PROPS to describe what patients wish they had known about their PF before starting treatment. We used qualitative content analysis to analyze 72 semi-structured transcripts conducted with adults with cancer who had undergone anti-cancer treatment in the previous 6 months. The purpose of this analysis was to identify categories of patient information needs.

Of the 72 participants, over half indicated a desire for additional information about their PF before starting treatment, including the impact of side effects/symptoms, such as pain and fatigue, on PF, or a better understanding of expectations for PF. Most of these participants reported PF limitations during the interview. The remaining participants reported feeling fully informed, with most reporting no PF limitations.

Patients are interested in learning about the impact of treatment on their PF, but the amount of detail desired varies. Providing personalized information may enhance shared decision-making, empower patients in self-management and treatment decisions, and support timely referrals to specialists. These findings highlight the need for tailored communication strategies in cancer care to better address patient concerns and improve overall treatment experiences.