Creating a teachable moment in community pharmacy for men with prostate cancer: A qualitative study of lifestyle changes

ObjectivesPartial gland ablation (PGA) therapy is an emerging treatment modality that targets specific areas of biopsy-proven prostate cancer (PCa) to minimize treatment-related morbidity by sparing benign prostate. This qualitative study aims to explore and characterize perceptions and attitudes toward PGA in men with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on active surveillance (AS).Design92 men diagnosed with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on AS were invited to participate in semistructured telephone interviews on PGA.SettingSingle tertiary care center located in New York City.Participants20 men with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on AS participated in the interviews.Main outcome measuresEmerging themes on perceptions and attitudes toward PGA were developed from transcripts inductively coded and analyzed under standardized methodology.ResultsFour themes were derived from 20 interviews that represent the primary considerations in treatment decision-making: (1) the feeling of psychological safety associated with low-risk disease; (2) preference for minimally invasive treatments; (3) the central role of the physician; (4) and the pursuit of treatment options that align with disease severity. Eleven men (55%) expressed interest in pursuing PGA only if their cancer were to progress, while nine men (45%) expressed interest at the current moment.ConclusionsAlthough an emerging treatment modality, patients were broadly accepting of PGA for PCa, with men primarily debating the risks versus benefits of proactively treating low-risk disease. Additional research on men’s preferences and attitudes toward PGA will further guide counseling and shared decision-making for PGA.

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Qualitative study of patients with metastatic prostate cancer to adherence of hormone therapy

European Journal of Oncology Nursing ◽

10.1016/j.ejon.2018.11.004 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 8-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Laura Iacorossi ◽

Francesca Gambalunga ◽

Rosaria De Domenico ◽

Valeria Serra ◽

Cristina Marzo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Hormone Therapy ◽

Metastatic Prostate Cancer

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“The only way I know how to live is to work”: A qualitative study of work following treatment for prostate cancer.

Health Psychology ◽

10.1037/a0030387 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 75-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

Elizabeth A. Grunfeld ◽

Lawrence Drudge-Coates ◽

Lorna Rixon ◽

Emma Eaton ◽

Alethea F. Cooper

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Know How

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Talking About Childhood Obesity

Clinical Pediatrics ◽

10.1177/00099228211070390 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 000992282110703

Author(s):

Ellen Wagner ◽

Omar Jamil ◽

Bethany Hodges

Keyword(s):

Childhood Obesity ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Pediatric Patients ◽

Communication Strategies ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Visual Aids ◽

Communication Preferences ◽

Essential Step ◽

Medical Terms ◽

Emerging Themes

While discussing obesity with pediatric patients and their families can be difficult, it is an essential step toward appropriate weight management. There is paucity of data regarding language preferences when discussing obesity in this population. In this pilot qualitative study, we interviewed 8 parents of patients diagnosed with obesity to identify language and communication preferences for discussing their child’s weight. Interviews were analyzed for emerging themes. Important trends appeared revealing that parents prefer neutral, medical terms discussed at well-child checks or obesity-specific visits. Providers should frame lifestyle changes as positive for all patients and set achievable goals with the help of visual aids. Our analysis uncovered several important communication strategies that can better equip providers to discuss obesity with their pediatric patients. This research may serve as a foundation for larger studies into the topic.

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Community pharmacy teams’ experiences of general practice-based pharmacists: an exploratory qualitative study

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-020-05245-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Georgios Dimitrios Karampatakis ◽

Nilesh Patel ◽

Graham Stretch ◽

Kath Ryan

Keyword(s):

General Practice ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Community Pharmacy

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A qualitative study exploring men’s experience of sexual dysfunction as a result of radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy to treat prostate cancer

Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice ◽

10.1017/s1460396920000059 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

W. Kinnaird ◽

A. Stewart-Lord

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Androgen Deprivation Therapy ◽

Androgen Deprivation ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Self Perception ◽

Treat Prostate Cancer ◽

Treatment Changes ◽

A Priority

Abstract Aim: Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) to treat prostate cancer. Men are likely to experience erectile dysfunction, low libido, ejaculatory problems and penile shortening. This qualitative study explored men’s perceptions of sexual dysfunction, including factors such as self-perception, relationships and information and support needs. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with n = 8 men living 18–30 months after EBRT ± ADT. The interviews were transcribed and thematic analysis was carried out. Results: All men experienced sexual dysfunction following treatment. The main themes arising were: (i) priorities—sexual issues were not a priority when making treatment decisions, (ii) information and support—men described a lack of information and support about sexual dysfunction and (iii) impact—sexual dysfunction impacted on their self-perception and relationships. Findings: Men undergoing EBRT/ADT for prostate cancer may be affected by post-treatment changes in sexual function in a range of ways. This study suggests that they would benefit from early and wide-ranging information and support on sexual dysfunction, even if they do not consider it as a priority. Candid discussions about self-perception and relationships, as well as physical changes, may equip them to cope with post-treatment changes.

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Seeking Mind, Body and Spirit Healing–-Why Some Men with Prostate Cancer Choose CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) over Conventional Cancer Treatments

Integrative Medicine Insights ◽

10.4137/imi.s377 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. IMI.S377 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Margaret A. White ◽

Marja J. Verhoef ◽

B.J. Davison ◽

Hal Gunn ◽

Karen Cooke

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Alternative Medicine ◽

Cancer Treatment ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Conventional Treatment ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Care Providers ◽

Prostate Cancer Treatment ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Little is known about men with prostate cancer who decline conventional treatment and use only complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Objectives To 1) explore why men decline conventional prostate cancer treatment and use CAM 2) understand the role of holistic healing in their care, and 3) document their recommendations for health care providers. Methods Semi-structured interviews and follow-up focus groups. Sample Twenty-nine men diagnosed with prostate cancer who declined all recommended conventional treatments and used CAM. Results Based on strong beliefs about healing, study participants took control by researching the risks of delaying or declining conventional treatment while using CAM as a first option. Most perceived conventional treatment to have a negative impact on quality of life. Participants sought healing in a broader mind, body, spirit context, developing individualized CAM approaches consistent with their beliefs about the causes of cancer. Most made significant lifestyle changes to improve their health. Spirituality was central to healing for one-third of the sample. Participants recommended a larger role for integrated cancer care. Conclusion Men who decline conventional prostate cancer treatment and use CAM only may benefit from a whole person approach to care where physicians support them to play an active role in healing while carefully monitoring their disease status.

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Are predominantly western standards and expectations of informed consent in surgery applicable to all? A qualitative study in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025299 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. e025299

Author(s):

Udagedara Mudiyanselage Jayami Esha Samaranayake ◽

Yasith Mathangasinghe ◽

Anura Sarath Kumara Banagala

Keyword(s):

Informed Consent ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Tertiary Care Hospital ◽

Comparative Method ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Cultural Norms ◽

Sri Lankan ◽

Care Hospital ◽

Asking Questions

ObjectiveTo identify the different perceptions on informed surgical consent in a group of Sri Lankan patients.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in a single surgical unit at a tertiary care hospital from January to May 2018. The protocol conformed to the Declaration of Helsinki. Patients undergoing elective major surgeries were recruited using initial purposive and later theoretical sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted in their native language based on the grounded theory. Initial codes were generated after analysing the transcripts. Constant comparative method was employed during intermediate and advanced coding. Data collection and analyses were conducted simultaneously, until the saturation of the themes. Finally, advanced coding was used for theoretical integrations.ResultsThirty patients (male:female=12:18) were assessed. The mean age was 41±9 years. Sinhalese predominated (50.0%, n=15). Majority underwent thyroidectomy (36.7%, n=11). The generated theory categorises the process of obtaining informed consent in four phases: initial interaction phase, reasoning phase, convincing phase and decision-making phase. Giving consent for surgery was a dependent role between patient, family members and the surgeon, as opposed to an individual decision by the patient. Some patients abstained from asking questions from doctors since doctors were ‘busy’, ‘short-tempered’ or ‘stressed out’. Some found nurses to be more approachable than doctors. Patients admitted that having a bystander while obtaining consent would relieve their stress. They needed doctors to emphasise more on postoperative lifestyle changes and preprocedure counselling at the clinic level. To educate patients about their procedure, some suggested leaflets or booklets to be distributed at the clinic before ward admission. The majority disliked watching educational videos because they were ‘scared’ to look at surgical dissections and blood.ConclusionThe informed consent process should include key elements that are non-culture specific along with elements or practices that consider the cultural norms of the society.

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