"Help me figure this out" : Qualitative explorations of patient experiences with cancer pathology reports

Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved..

OBJECTIVE: For patients with a new cancer diagnosis, the pathology report is a critical tool to support diagnosis and decision-making, yet they are designed for providers, not patients. We sought to qualitatively explore patients' experiences receiving and interpreting pathology reports for breast and colorectal cancers.

METHODS: We conducted four focus groups with patients (n = 23) who had received diagnostic or surgical pathology reports for breast cancer, colorectal cancer or polypectomy. Focus groups discussed patients' experiences with pathology reports and recommendations for improving the patient-centeredness of report design. Focus groups were transcribed and thematic analysis was used to explore patient perspectives.

RESULTS: Participants described experiences with pathology reports that were fraught with confusion and variability. Three central themes were identified related to how 1) the experience receiving the pathology report, 2) the pathology report language, and 3) the format of pathology reports all influence patient understanding and ability to engage in treatment decision-making.

CONCLUSION: Due to their complex medical language and challenging framing, traditional pathology reports can contribute to the confusion and uncertainty patients experience as they navigate a new cancer diagnosis.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2021

Erschienen:

2021

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:104

Enthalten in:

Patient education and counseling - 104(2021), 1 vom: 15. Jan., Seite 40-44

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Austin, Elizabeth J [VerfasserIn]
Lee, Jenney R [VerfasserIn]
Bergstedt, Brandelyn [VerfasserIn]
Mitchell, Anita Isler [VerfasserIn]
Javid, Sara H [VerfasserIn]
Ko, Cynthia W [VerfasserIn]
Gore, John L [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Cancer pathology
Journal Article
Patient engagement
Patient-centered care
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 27.04.2021

Date Revised 27.04.2021

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1016/j.pec.2020.07.020

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM31375232X