Optimistic honesty: understanding surgeon and patient perspectives on hopeful communication in pancreatic cancer care

Evaluating surgeon communication of pancreatic cancer prognosis using the VitalTalk ADAPT framework

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Few data exist to guide optimal communication practices for surgical oncologists. VitalTalk, an evidence-based communication skills training model for clinicians, offers the five-step ADAPT tool for discussing prognosis. This study aimed to characterize surgeon communication of pancreatic cancer prognosis using VitalTalk's ADAPT framework.

METHODS

Contemporaneous audio recordings from 12 initial surgeon-patient encounters for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer were transcribed. Directed qualitative content analysis based on ADAPT (Ask, Discover, Anticipate, Provide, and Track) was used to deductively code transcripts.

RESULTS

All encounters contained at least one ADAPT step while only one (8%) incorporated four or five steps. Surgeons provided prognostic information (Provide) in all but one encounter (92%); most was qualitative and clustered into themes: serious illness, surgical candidacy, prognostic ambiguity, and cancer recurrence. Surgeons elicited understanding (Ask), requested information preferences (Discover), anticipated ambivalence (Anticipate), and responded to emotion (Track) in a minority of encounters (25%-42%); of 15 patient emotional cues, six were not addressed by surgeons.

CONCLUSIONS

During an initial encounter for pancreatic cancer, surgeons focus heavily on providing information but omit critical prognostic communication steps. Future studies are needed to investigate if surgeon training in palliative care-based communication is feasible and impacts patient-perceived quality of communication.

Communication and support of patients and caregivers in chronic cancer care: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline

•ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline with key recommendations for communication and support of cancer patients and caregivers. •The guideline discusses training in communication of oncology clinicians and research on communication in cancer care. •Practical recommendations aim to support oncology clinicians in their communication with patients and caregivers. •Figures summarising the responsibilities of the clinician, the oncology team and the health care institution are provided.

Patient, Relative and Staff Experiences of Clinical Trial Participation in Neurooncology: "Maybe You Can Also Show the Positive, No Matter How It Ends"

Purpose

There is a lack of evidence regarding how patients with malignant brain tumor and their relatives experience participation in neurooncological clinical trials. Similarly, insights from the perspective of trial staff caring for this group of patients are missing. This study aims to investigate patient, relative and trial staff experiences regarding participation in clinical neurooncological trials.

Methods

Within a qualitative exploratory study, 29 semi-structured interviews with brain tumor patients, relatives and trial staff were conducted and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) by Braun and Clarke. A patient researcher and patient council were involved in data analysis and interpretation.

Results

Four themes were developed reflecting significant aspects of the trial experience: 1. "It all revolves around hope"; 2. "Trial participation: experiencing unique medical care"; 3. "Everyone's roles are changing"; 4. "Communication as a possible area of conflict". Experiencing trial participation and general medical treatment were found to be interconnected to such a degree that they were often not meaningfully distinguished by patients and relatives.

Conclusion

In addition to assessing traditional endpoints for patient outcomes, we recommend increased emphasis on investigating the impact of the "soft" components constituting trial participation. Due to the interconnectedness of medical treatment and trial participation, we recommend further investigation in comparison to experiences in regular care. A deeper understanding of trial participation is needed to inform improvements for patient experiences and staff satisfaction alongside medical and scientific progress.

Ethical challenges around thirst in end-of-life care -experiences of palliative care physicians

BACKGROUND

Thirst and dry mouth are common symptoms in terminally ill patients. In their day-to-day practice, palliative care physicians regularly encounter ethical dilemmas, especially regarding artificial hydration. Few studies have focused on thirst and the ethical dilemmas palliative care physicians encounter in relation to this, leading to a knowledge gap in this area.

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore palliative care physicians' experiences of ethical challenges in relation to thirst in terminally ill patients.

METHODS

A qualitative interview study with an inductive approach was conducted. Sixteen physicians working in four different specialised palliative care units and one geriatric care unit in different hospitals in Sweden were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed with a reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

When presented with an ethical challenge relating to thirst, physicians attempted to balance benefits and harms while emphasizing respect for the patient's autonomy. The ethical challenges in this study were: Starting, continuing or discontinuing drips; lack of evidence and traditions create doubt; and lack of interest and time may result in patient suffering.

CONCLUSIONS

All physicians in this study reported that "Starting, continuing or discontinuing drips" was the main ethical challenge they encountered, where some were so accustomed to the decision that they had a standard answer ready to offer patients and families. Physicians reported that drips were a symbol of thirst quenching, life and survival but were not necessary in end-of-life care. Others questioned the traditions regarding thirst and emphasised drips in particular.

Symptoms and life changes after total pancreatectomy: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Total pancreatectomy (TP) is a major surgical procedure that involves lifelong exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Qualitative evidence is sparse regarding patients' experiences after the operation. The aim of this study was to explore patients' experiences of symptoms that occur after TP and how these symptoms affect their health and life situations.

METHODS

A qualitative design with prospective consecutive sampling and an inductive thematic analysis was used. Semistructured interviews were postoperatively performed at 6-9 months with 20 patients undergoing TP in two university hospitals in Sweden.

RESULTS

Two main themes emerged from the analysis: "Changes in everyday life" and "Psychological journey". Patients experienced symptoms related to diabetes as the major life change after the operation, and they were also limited by symptoms of exocrine insufficiency, difficulties with food intake and physical weakness. In the psychological journey that patients underwent, the support received from family, friends and the health care system was important. Moreover, patients experienced a general need for more extensive information, especially regarding diabetes.

CONCLUSION

Patients experience a lack of sufficient support and education after TP, particularly concerning their diabetes. Further efforts should be undertaken to improve information and the organization of diabetes care for this patient group.

'You know where we are if you need us.' The role of primary care in supporting patients following pancreaticoduodenectomy for cancer: a qualitative study

Background

Ten per cent of patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer undergo pancreaticoduodenectomy. It is known that these patients have unmet psychological support needs, and GPs are key in enabling effective coordination of care for people living with life-shortening conditions.

Aim

To explore patients’ perspectives on the role of primary care in their management, and their sources of support.

Design & setting

Inductive qualitative study of patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy between 6 months and 6 years previously for pancreatic or distal biliary duct cancers. Participants were recruited by clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) from a single NHS trust in Northwest England.

Method

Semi-structured interviews, either face-to-face or via video link, were conducted with 20 participants. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and anonymised. Thematic analysis utilised principles of constant comparison.

Results

Participants described immense treatment burden and uncertainty around the role of the GP in their ongoing care. They recognised that GPs may have little experience of patients who have undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy, but felt that GPs can play a vital role in offering support. Participants wished for emotional support postoperatively, and valued support networks including family and friends. However, they found expressing their deepest fears difficult. Participants felt they would value greater recognition by primary care of both physical and psychological sequelae of major pancreatic surgery, and the impact on their families.

Conclusion

Patients may feel themselves to be a ‘burden’ to both healthcare professionals and their own support networks following pancreaticoduodenectomy. Primary care is in a key position to proactively offer psychological support.