How patient-centered is education and counseling of patients treated with oral anticancer drugs? A multicenter cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: In this multicenter cross-sectional study, the quality of patient-centered education and counseling for patients treated with oral anticancer drugs was examined.

Methods: The CONTACT-Patient-Centered Care Questionnaire was administered to 266 patients, recruited in 11 Flemish hospitals. The questionnaire consists of 80 items, each evaluating the degree of performance of a key element in patient-centered education and counseling.

Results: In total, 15 key elements were seriously underperformed (degree of performance < 50%). Elements regarding adherence monitoring, specific topics in patient education, and involvement of the community pharmacist and home care nurse received a very low score. Only six key elements were systematically performed (degree of performance ≥ 90%), among which the elements on communication style and involvement of the general practitioner.

Conclusion: This study uncovered three major gaps in patient-centered education and counseling of patients on oral anticancer drugs: unmet patient information needs due to shortcomings in patient education, inadequate adherence monitoring, and lacking collaboration with community pharmacists and home care nurses.

Practice implications: This study highlights the need for interdisciplinary and patient-centered education and counseling of patients using OACD, including all key stakeholders: physicians, nurses, hospital pharmacists, general practitioners, community pharmacist and home care nurses.

Keywords: CONTACT-Patient-Centered Care Questionnaire; Counseling; Oncology; Oral anticancer drugs; Patient education; Patient experiences; Patient-centered care.