How do breast cancer patients experience multidisciplinary tumor conferences? – A description from the patient perspective. (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Diekmann, Annika; Heuser, Christian; Ernstmann, Nicole; Geiser, Franziska; Groß, Sophie Elisabeth; Midding, Evamarie; Pfaff, Holger; Ansmann, Lena
• Is Part Of: Breast. Volume 44(2019)
• Page Start: 66
• Page End: 72
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: Breast cancer -- Multidisciplinary tumor conference -- Patient involvement -- Patient participation -- Tumor board; Breast -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Breast -- Tumors -- Periodicals; Breast -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2018.12.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-9776

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Aim of this study was to investigate the experiences of breast cancer patients who participated in multidisciplinary tumor conferences (MTCs). Study design: Data from two consecutive years of an annual postal survey of patients with primary breast cancer were combined. Data was collected between February and July 2015 (response rate 72%) and 2016 (response rate 73%) from N = 8893 patients (ICD-10 C50) after hospital discharge from 86 breast cancer center hospitals in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The study used a mixed-methods design. Standardized quantitative survey questions were analyzed descriptively and an open-ended question was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Around 9% of the patients were invited to participate in a multidisciplinary tumor conference (MTC) and 49% of the invited patients reported actual participation in a MTC. Approximately 87% of those patients did not regret their participation in the MTC. The qualitative analysis from the open-ended question indicated that MTC participation was perceived by patients as being both supportive and informative ( n = 109 expressions). However, some patients reported difficult experiences and emotional reactions during and after participation ( n = 37 expressions). Altogether, the patients' perception was divided into positive and negative, cognitive and emotional experiences following participation in a MTC. Conclusion: The perception of the MTCs varies between the participating patients. Further research on advantages and disadvantages for patients and particularly on the feasibility from the provider's perspective is necessary. Highlights: About 5% of the patients participated in MTC. Around 90% of these patients did not regret the participation in MTC. Analysis led to a mixed report of both positive and negative experiences of patient participation in MTC.