Differences in perception of breast cancer treatment between patients, physicians, and nurses and unmet information needs in Japan

Haruna Sakai, Megumi Umeda, Hiromi Okuyama, Seigo Nakamura, Haruna Sakai, Megumi Umeda, Hiromi Okuyama, Seigo Nakamura

Abstract

Purpose: Discrepancies exist between healthcare provider and patient perceptions surrounding breast cancer treatment. Significant treatment changes in the last 10 years have made re-evaluation of these perceptions necessary.

Methods: Physicians and nurses involved in breast cancer treatment, and patients who had received breast cancer chemotherapy (past 5 years), were questioned using an Internet survey. Participants ranked physical concerns (treatment side effects), psychological concerns, priorities for treatment selection, and side effects to be avoided during treatment. Patients were asked about desired treatment information/information sources. Rankings were calculated using the mean value of scores. Spearman's rank correlation was used to determine the concordance of rankings among groups.

Results: Survey respondents included 207 patients, 185 physicians, and 150 nurses. Patients and nurses similarly ranked distressing physical concerns; physician rankings differed. Quality of life (QoL) and treatment response ranked high with physicians and patients when considering future treatment; nurses prioritized QoL. All three groups generally agreed on ranking of psychological concerns experienced during chemotherapy, explanation of treatment options, and how treatment decisions were made, although more patients thought treatment decisions should be made independently. Healthcare providers reported providing explanations of treatment side effects and information on physical/psychological support options while patients felt both were lacking. Concordance was calculated as 0.47 (patient-physician), 0.83 (patient-nurse), and 0.76 (physician-nurse). Patients desired additional information, preferring healthcare providers as the source.

Conclusions: Specific areas for improvement in breast cancer patient care were identified; programs should be implemented to address unmet needs and improve treatment in these areas.

Keywords: Adverse events; Breast cancer; Decision-making; Drug treatment; Patient needs.

Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Sakai has received personal fees and grant funding from Eisai Co., Ltd. Dr. Umeda and Dr. Okuyama have received personal fees from Eisai Co., Ltd. Dr. Nakamura has received grant funding from Eisai Co., Ltd.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Ranking of the physical concerns (side effects) and psychological concerns experienced during breast cancer chemotherapy. Blue bar, patients; red bar, physicians; green bar, nurses
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Rank correlation coefficients for physical concerns (side effects) and psychological concerns between patients, physicians, and nurses
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Treatment information for which an explanation was considered as having been received/provided/expected. Results are shown for each survey group and information item and are represented as a percentage of the total number of responses. Answers chosen by

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Source: PubMed

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