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What advanced cancer patients with limited treatment options know about clinical research: a qualitative study.
- Source :
-
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer [Support Care Cancer] 2017 Oct; Vol. 25 (10), pp. 3235-3242. Date of Electronic Publication: 2017 May 09. - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Purpose: Discussions between oncologists and advanced cancer patients (ACPs) may touch on the complex issue of clinical trial participation. Numerous initiatives have sought to improve the quality of these potentially difficult conversations. However, we have limited data about what ACPs know about clinical research as they enter such discussions as, to date, such research has focused on the period following informed consent. This study examines ACPs' understanding of clinical research in the treatment period before consent.<br />Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with adult ACPs with limited treatment options at four clinics in an academic medical center. So as not to influence patients' perspectives, interviewers probed patients' knowledge of clinical research only if the patient first brought up the topic. Interviews (40-60 min) were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically and via quantitative content analysis by an interdisciplinary team.<br />Results: Of 78 patients recruited, 56 (72%) spontaneously brought up the topic of clinical research during interview and are included in this analysis. Qualitative thematic analysis and quantitative content analysis revealed that patients' knowledge varied in terms of (1) accuracy and (2) specificity (level of detail). ACPs who spoke with high specificity were not always accurate, and ACPs with accurate knowledge included both high- and low-specificity speakers.<br />Conclusions: ACPs' knowledge of clinical research is variable. Patients who can discuss the technical details of their care may or may not understand the broader purpose and procedures of clinical trials. Understanding this variability is important for improving patient-provider communication about clinical research and supporting efforts to provide individualized care for ACPs.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Communication
Comprehension
Decision Making
Female
Health Literacy
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Metastasis
Neoplasms psychology
Patient Education as Topic
Qualitative Research
Salvage Therapy
Biomedical Research education
Biomedical Research trends
Knowledge
Neoplasms pathology
Neoplasms therapy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1433-7339
- Volume :
- 25
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 28488050
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3734-4