Abstract
Objective
To explore the patients’ experiences on initiation of treatment with antineoplastic medicines for colorectal cancer.
Design
A qualitative study using semistructured, face-to-face interviews based on the adapted patients’ lived experience with medicines conceptual model was conducted. Ethics approval was granted. Interviews took place while eligible patients were receiving their first cycle of antineoplastic medicines, audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used.
Setting
National oncology hospital in Malta.
Participants
Adult patients over 18 years, newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer and initiating treatment with 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) or capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX) between October 2018 and September 2019 were recruited. Patients were included if fully aware of their diagnosis and the treatment being received. A purposive sample of 16 patients participated in the study.
Results
Five themes emerged from our analysis: (1) beliefs and knowledge on cancer and treatment; (2) healthcare system in relation to treatment; (3) medicine-taking practice; (4) medicine-related impact and (5) personal support structure. In addition, 16 subthemes were identified to describe the interplay of all aspects of the patients’ experiences on initiation of treatment with antineoplastic medicines.
Conclusion
This qualitative study illustrated that the patients find themselves in a complex situation on initiation of treatment with antineoplastic medicines. The patients’ knowledge on their specific treatment and active participation in making an informed decision need to be addressed. The healthcare system should develop tailored patient-centred services that specifically address the lack of patient empowerment and patient’s concern about treatment specific information.
To explore the patients’ experiences on initiation of treatment with antineoplastic medicines for colorectal cancer.
Design
A qualitative study using semistructured, face-to-face interviews based on the adapted patients’ lived experience with medicines conceptual model was conducted. Ethics approval was granted. Interviews took place while eligible patients were receiving their first cycle of antineoplastic medicines, audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used.
Setting
National oncology hospital in Malta.
Participants
Adult patients over 18 years, newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer and initiating treatment with 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) or capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (XELOX) between October 2018 and September 2019 were recruited. Patients were included if fully aware of their diagnosis and the treatment being received. A purposive sample of 16 patients participated in the study.
Results
Five themes emerged from our analysis: (1) beliefs and knowledge on cancer and treatment; (2) healthcare system in relation to treatment; (3) medicine-taking practice; (4) medicine-related impact and (5) personal support structure. In addition, 16 subthemes were identified to describe the interplay of all aspects of the patients’ experiences on initiation of treatment with antineoplastic medicines.
Conclusion
This qualitative study illustrated that the patients find themselves in a complex situation on initiation of treatment with antineoplastic medicines. The patients’ knowledge on their specific treatment and active participation in making an informed decision need to be addressed. The healthcare system should develop tailored patient-centred services that specifically address the lack of patient empowerment and patient’s concern about treatment specific information.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e047749 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | BMJ open |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 12 |
| Early online date | 30 Dec 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 16 May 2023 |
Funding
The research work disclosed in this publication is funded by the Tertiary Education Scholarships Scheme (Malta). The publication of this research work is financed by the Robert Gordon University.
Keywords
- antineoplastic medicines
- colorectal cancer
- 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid and oxaliplatin
- capecitabine plus oxaliplatin
