The Experience of Patients with Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer: A Patient Journey Map Based on Qualitative Research

Abstract

(1) Background: While there is extensive documentation on the medical experience of breast cancer, a thorough understanding of the various stages of endocrine therapy remains insufficient. The aim of this study was to map the experiences and coping styles of breast cancer patients during endocrine therapy. (2) Methods: Qualitative research was conducted to gather insights into the experiences of breast cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy. The themes were organized through content analysis and induction. Subsequently, patients were invited for face-to-face interviews at a top-three hospital in Guangzhou to supplement and validate the findings from the literature review. The patient journey was then mapped based on both the literature review and the semi-structured interviews. (3) Results: A total of 24 studies were included that described patients' experiences and behaviors during the early, middle, and late stages of treatment, leading to the formation of a preliminary framework. Interviews were conducted with 20 patients, which confirmed and enriched the findings from the literature review. Based on these results, a stage trajectory for endocrine therapy in breast cancer was established. (4) Conclusions: The patient journey map developed in this study clearly and intuitively illustrates the thought and emotion matrix, as well as the behavior matrix, of breast cancer patients undergoing endocrine therapy. This provides a theoretical foundation for enhancing clinical services tailored to the needs of these patients.

Keywords: breast cancer; endocrine therapy; experience; patient journey mapping; qualitative research.

Figure 1

Literature screening flowchart.

Figure 2

Patient journey map.