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An evaluation of support of patients with prostate cancer during and beyond radiotherapy treatment. A local perspective on future provision

An evaluation of support of patients with prostate cancer during and beyond radiotherapy... AbstractPurposeThis study was designed to evaluate whether radiographer-led on-treatment review clinics are meeting the wider needs of prostate patients receiving radiotherapy.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were used to elicit patient and staff perspectives. Interviews are used extensively in qualitative research to produce a breadth and depth of insight into participants’ experiences and opinions. Seven patients and two radiographers participated in individual audio-taped interviews. Thematic analysis of the data identified some key themes and their perceived importance within the review service for both patients and staff.ResultsSemi-structured interviews were used to elicit patient and staff views. Several themes emerged from patient and radiographer perspectives. Radiographers and patients both expressed overall satisfaction with the service. Strengths included staff communication, relaxed environment, individualised support, regular information spread throughout the review pathway and consistency in managing acute side effects. Weaknesses included information and communication gaps at the beginning and end of treatment, information inconsistency between staff groups, gaps in specialist knowledge and a possible gap in skills where staff could train as supplementary prescribers.ConclusionInterviews produced an in-depth view of patient and staff experiences. Staff and patients identified both strengths and areas for improvement within the local service. Study findings support review radiographers in sourcing additional specialist training and a closer collaboration with other staff groups, which will further develop the service. As a next step, triangulation of research methods with questionnaires could be used to evaluate whether this small sample of patients is characteristic of prostate patients in general. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice Cambridge University Press

An evaluation of support of patients with prostate cancer during and beyond radiotherapy treatment. A local perspective on future provision

Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 14 (4): 8 – Jul 23, 2015
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References (29)

Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2015 
ISSN
1467-1131
eISSN
1460-3969
DOI
10.1017/S1460396915000308
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

AbstractPurposeThis study was designed to evaluate whether radiographer-led on-treatment review clinics are meeting the wider needs of prostate patients receiving radiotherapy.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were used to elicit patient and staff perspectives. Interviews are used extensively in qualitative research to produce a breadth and depth of insight into participants’ experiences and opinions. Seven patients and two radiographers participated in individual audio-taped interviews. Thematic analysis of the data identified some key themes and their perceived importance within the review service for both patients and staff.ResultsSemi-structured interviews were used to elicit patient and staff views. Several themes emerged from patient and radiographer perspectives. Radiographers and patients both expressed overall satisfaction with the service. Strengths included staff communication, relaxed environment, individualised support, regular information spread throughout the review pathway and consistency in managing acute side effects. Weaknesses included information and communication gaps at the beginning and end of treatment, information inconsistency between staff groups, gaps in specialist knowledge and a possible gap in skills where staff could train as supplementary prescribers.ConclusionInterviews produced an in-depth view of patient and staff experiences. Staff and patients identified both strengths and areas for improvement within the local service. Study findings support review radiographers in sourcing additional specialist training and a closer collaboration with other staff groups, which will further develop the service. As a next step, triangulation of research methods with questionnaires could be used to evaluate whether this small sample of patients is characteristic of prostate patients in general.

Journal

Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice – Cambridge University Press

Published: Jul 23, 2015

Keywords: interviews; living beyond cancer treatment; patient information; prostate cancer; review clinic

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