ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5677

RTT - Patient experience and quality of life

ESTRO 2024

Rad Chat has over 60,000 interactions on Instagram per month, receiving daily messages from healthcare professionals, people living with and beyond cancer and those people supporting friends and family members going through cancer.

Material/Methods:

In this qualitative report, 2 registered therapeutic radiographers who host Rad Chat outlined their experiences of utilising Instagram over the course of a month (September), what they perceive the advantages and disadvantages to be and what support they have found people living with and beyond cancer look for from radiotherapy specialists.

Results:

Of the 41 direct messages received on Instagram during September 2023, 8 were from healthcare professionals, 3 were from people supporting someone going through cancer, 4 were from cancer charities and 26 were from people living with or beyond with cancer. Of the 26 messages, 54% of them were enquiring about potential late effects from radiotherapy, 23% were asking about how to prepare for radiotherapy and 23% were sharing their gratitude for the information that was provided through the Instagram posts and stories.

An Instagram post asked people with breast cancer what they wish they’d known before starting radiotherapy. Over 189 comments were recorded and a thematic analysis highlighted three key themes;

1. Radiotherapy side effects and the impact on quality of life. People reported that despite consenting to treatment, the reality of side effects was different and people hadn’t felt prepared. 2. People felt ill prepared for radiotherapy, with access to information and support limited. 3. The psychological and social impact of radiotherapy treatment. “I had very little information about it and thought it was worse than chemo, the exhaustion it caused took me by surprise and I found the intense regime exhausting. I wish I had been better prepared for the fatigue to enable me to have planned more childcare.”

“I didn’t realise I’d be tattooed, that would have been nice to know.”

“I wish I had known about the breathing, as I would have liked to have practiced beforehand.”

“I wish I knew how mentally hard it would be. I knew physically it wouldn’t hurt when being done, that it would make me tired and maybe burn my skin a bit - but I didn’t realise just how hard it was going to be mentally going to the hospital every single day.” As questions and comments are visible on social media posts, some people who have had poor patient experiences may share, causing distress for others about to embark on treatment. Patients sharing their experiences may also share misinformation, as a result of this Rad Chat social media channel posts have to be closely monitored and misinformation removed, or moderated, as well referral support for anyone displaying distress in posts. The hosts operate within their scope of practice and often refer people to charitable organisations, NHS providers, or empower them with information around what questions to ask their healthcare professionals.