Patients' perspectives and the perceptions of healthcare providers in the treatment of early rectal cancer; a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Shared decision-making has become of increased importance in choosing the most suitable treatment strategy for early rectal cancer, however, clinical decision-making is still primarily based on physicians' perspectives. Balancing quality of life and oncological outcomes is difficult, and guidance on patients' involvement in this subject in early rectal cancer is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore preferences and priorities of patients as well as physicians' perspectives in treatment for early rectal cancer.

Methods

In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were performed with early rectal cancer patients (n = 10) and healthcare providers (n = 10). Participants were asked which factors influenced their preferences and how important these fa

SUBMITTER: Smits LJH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10740344 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature