Facilitators and barriers to help-seeking behavior for symptoms in patients with lung cancer in China-a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM), this study explores facilitators and barriers influencing help-seeking behavior for symptoms among Chinese patients with lung cancer, aiming to inform strategies for earlier diagnosis and improved patient outcomes.

Methods

In-depth, face-to-face personal interviews were conducted with 14 lung cancer patients from a tertiary A-level hospital in Hubei province. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Two main themes emerged-facilitators and barriers-along with six sub-themes: perceived threats, perceived benefits, self-efficacy, cues to action, perceived internal barriers, and perceived external barriers. Participants generally sought medical help when symptoms became sudden, severe, or signifi

SUBMITTER: Yang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12833010 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature