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Observational Study
. 2021 Apr 20;21(1):366.
doi: 10.1186/s12913-021-06361-z.

Clinicians' knowledge and attitudes towards patient reported outcomes in colorectal cancer care - insights from qualitative interviews

Nora Tabea Sibert  1 , Christoph Kowalski  2 , Holger Pfaff  3 , Simone Wesselmann  2 , Clara Breidenbach  2
Affiliations
Observational Study

Clinicians' knowledge and attitudes towards patient reported outcomes in colorectal cancer care - insights from qualitative interviews

Nora Tabea Sibert et al. BMC Health Serv Res. .

Abstract

Introduction: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) can be used in cancer care to monitor patients' disease-related symptoms and functional status. However, successful implementation of such instruments is only possible if clinical staff are convinced of the clinical benefits. It is therefore crucial to investigate the attitudes of clinical staff to PROs in routine cancer care.

Methods: Semi-structured, guideline-based interviews were held with 12 clinicians working in certified colorectal cancer centers in Germany who are taking part in an observational study on PROs (five surgeons, two oncologists, one psycho-oncologist, two oncological care nurses, one stoma therapist, and one physician assistant) in order to investigate firstly, how clinicians describe PRO instruments ("wording"); and secondly, the clinicians' general attitude toward PROs. A qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz was performed.

Results: The wording used to describe PROs was not consistent. Statements on attitudes toward PROs were very heterogeneous and were therefore categorized into "(rather) positive" and "(rather) negative." The principal advantages of PROs mentioned by participants included broader, structured knowledge about patients and treatment, as well as relevance for patients. Subcategories for (rather) negative attitudes included statements expressing doubts about the questionnaires and "no need for PROs."

Discussion: The clinicians participating mainly expressed fairly positive attitudes toward PROs. However, they had little knowledge about PROs in general and the interviews therefore mainly reflect their expectations and assumptions about them. These initial impressions may be regarded as providing a basis for future implementation strategies and for training of clinicians on how to use PROs in routine cancer care.

Keywords: Cancer care; EORTC; Implementation; Patient-reported outcome measures; Patient-reported outcomes; Routine care.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors expect for HP are employees of the German Cancer Society.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Fears and hopes expressed by participants regarding the use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in routine cancer care
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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