Treatment decision-making and the added value of the general practitioner: A qualitative exploration of cancer patients' perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer patients are increasingly involved in decision-making for cancer treatment. General practitioners' (GPs) support in this process is advocated. Therefore, GPs need to be aware of patients' treatment decision-making process and their potential role. We aim to understand the treatment decision-making process and to explore the added value of GP involvement, from the perspective of cancer patients treated with curative intent. METHODS: An explorative qualitative study was performed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 purposively sampled Dutch cancer patients treated with curative intent. RESULTS: Patients' treatment decision-making process was dominated by a focus on 'safeguarding survival'. Patients generally followed the treatment plan as proposed by their physician and did not always experience having a treatment choice. The majority of patients expressed added value for GP involvement, mainly to provide psychological support, but also for providing shared decision-making (SDM) support. CONCLUSION: The treatment decision-making process of cancer patients treated with curative intent is dominated by the urge to 'safeguard survival'. GPs should be aware of their added value in providing psychological support and their potential role to support SDM following a cancer diagnosis.

Patients' experiences with an audio-visual intervention, the use of a tailored explanimation video in patients with bladder cancer.

Objective: This qualitative study explored the experiences of patients with bladder cancer with a tailored 'explanimation' video (EV) as a supportive information tool used before and during treatment. Methods: Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 patients with bladder cancer and thematically analysed. Results: Participants advised future use of the EV, noting it is user friendly and has a fitting difficulty level and clarifying animations. However, some mentioned practical information on 'life after treatment' was lacking, and some emphasized the importance of choosing the right moment of delivery. Patients' experiences were described in four major themes: taking own responsibility, providing opportunity for postponed information supply, easing decision-making processes and gaining a sense of calm. Conclusion: Findings indicate the EV supported patients with bladder cancer in the process of being informed and in decision-making. Future use of the EV in the treatment of patients with bladder cancer is recommended. Innovation: The use of audiovisual information in patient education is innovative. Tailored audiovisual information in shape of the EV is a step forward in streamlining information processes, meeting individual preferences and highlighting the most important general information for patients with bladder cancer.