Patient and carer experiences of lung cancer referral pathway in a regional health service: a qualitative study.
lung cancer
patient experience
qualitative study
referral pathway
regional and rural health
Journal
Internal medicine journal
ISSN: 1445-5994
Titre abrégé: Intern Med J
Pays: Australia
ID NLM: 101092952
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Nov 2023
Nov 2023
Historique:
received:
11
11
2022
accepted:
26
01
2023
medline:
27
11
2023
pubmed:
31
1
2023
entrez:
30
1
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Lung cancer referral pathways aim to reduce delays and improve referral patterns of people with suspected lung cancer. As part of implementing a lung cancer referral pathway at a regional Australian hospital, this study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of people with lung cancer and their carers. In-depth interviews were used to elicit data for thematic analysis in this cross-sectional descriptive qualitative study. Patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer and their carers at a regional academic cancer centre were invited to participate in interviews. Five interviews were conducted face-to-face, and 14 interviews were conducted by telephone (as per interviewee preference). Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed and qualitatively analysed. Descriptive phrases were used to generate initial inductive codes and themes. Nineteen participants approached agreed to take part in the study. Factors that positively impacted the care experience were good communication, timeliness and patient advocacy and support. Improper communication, long waiting times for investigations and appointments, uncertainty about the process and inconsistent advice from providers negatively impacted the care experience. Participants preferred face-to-face or video-linked consultations over telephone consultations. Understanding the experiences of rural and regional patients and carers with the lung cancer referral pathway is important to improve quality of care. Implementing changes to the referral pathway to improve patient and carer experiences needs to be an ongoing quality improvement exercise.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Lung cancer referral pathways aim to reduce delays and improve referral patterns of people with suspected lung cancer.
AIM
OBJECTIVE
As part of implementing a lung cancer referral pathway at a regional Australian hospital, this study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of people with lung cancer and their carers.
METHODS
METHODS
In-depth interviews were used to elicit data for thematic analysis in this cross-sectional descriptive qualitative study. Patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer and their carers at a regional academic cancer centre were invited to participate in interviews. Five interviews were conducted face-to-face, and 14 interviews were conducted by telephone (as per interviewee preference). Interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed and qualitatively analysed. Descriptive phrases were used to generate initial inductive codes and themes.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Nineteen participants approached agreed to take part in the study. Factors that positively impacted the care experience were good communication, timeliness and patient advocacy and support. Improper communication, long waiting times for investigations and appointments, uncertainty about the process and inconsistent advice from providers negatively impacted the care experience. Participants preferred face-to-face or video-linked consultations over telephone consultations.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the experiences of rural and regional patients and carers with the lung cancer referral pathway is important to improve quality of care. Implementing changes to the referral pathway to improve patient and carer experiences needs to be an ongoing quality improvement exercise.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
2016-2027Subventions
Organisme : Townsville Hospital and Health Service
ID : 14_2020
Informations de copyright
© 2023 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
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