ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5686

RTT - Patient experience and quality of life

ESTRO 2024

The aim of this study was to determine the barriers and motivators that affect experience, and satisfaction of patient information; and to inform areas for further investigation that could improve RT patient information. This work included themes identified through PPI members and published evidence.

Material/Methods:

This was a collaborative study with the CRUKRadNet PPI Group, and engagement was consistent throughout the entire process. An introduction to the researcher and proposed research topic was delivered at a meeting with the group in October 2022. This was followed by a discussion with participants. Notes were taken by the researcher, minutes of the meeting were recorded and written feedback was provided by participants. This was followed by an in-depth interview with a member of the PPI group, to determine if they were satisfied with the information they had received about their RT treatment and what changes could be made to improve this. Answers were based on their lived experience. Qualitative data was analysed under the guidance of the six-phase thematic analysis (TA), at all stages of this study (2). Themes for improvement of the information needs of RT patients were identified by group discussion i.e. using an inductive approach. These were further investigated using systematic review methods (PROSPERO registration: CRD42023415916). Utilising the Cochrane Rapid Review Methods Group (RRMG), narrative synthesis of this review was based on the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) question framework (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Due to the heterogeneity of the included literature, analysis of this review was presented primarily through narrative synthesis (3).

Results:

Four representatives from the PPI group attended, a summary of their discussion and feedback was as follows; “As one is pretty vulnerable and anxious when getting cancer treatment, it is easy not to take important information in fully, misinterpret it or forget it quickly” “The most important thing is that people are given information in a way that they can understand, as far in advance as possible, plus information to take away with them afterward – in a format that suits them.” “The layout of the waiting room at the treatment area was not maybe ideal” PPI themes identified were: Consideration of the patient’s emotional state, how information is delivered and confirmation of understanding, giving them empowerment over their care and value as a patient, building trust between health care professionals (HCP) and patients, and providing tailored information. Review results are shown in Figure 2, and emerging themes from the published data are shown in Table 1.