Surgical decision-making in advanced-stage non–small cell lung cancer is influenced by more than just guidelines

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This qualitative study sought to uncover factors that influence decisions to offer curative-intent surgery for patients with advanced-stage (stage IIIB/IV) non–small cell lung cancer.

Methods

A trained interviewer conducted open-ended, semistructured telephone interviews with cardiothoracic surgeons in the United States. Participants were recruited from the Thoracic Surgery Outcomes Research Network, with subsequent diversification through snowball sampling. Four hypothetical clinical scenarios were presented, each demonstrating varying levels of ambiguity with respect to international guideline recommendations. Interviews continued until thematic saturation was reached. Interview transcripts were coded using inductive reasoning and conventional content analysis

SUBMITTER: Peng T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9510805 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature