From symptom to cancer diagnosis: Perspectives of patients and family members in Alberta, Canada.
<h4>Background</h4>Significant intervals from the identification of suspicious symptoms to a definitive diagnosis of cancer are common. Streamlining pathways to diagnosis may increase survival, quality of life post-treatment, and patient experience. Discussions of pathways to diagnosis f...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2020-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239374 |
| _version_ | 1818400228272766976 |
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| author | Anna Pujadas Botey Paula J Robson Adam M Hardwicke-Brown Dorothy M Rodehutskors Barbara M O'Neill Douglas A Stewart |
| author_facet | Anna Pujadas Botey Paula J Robson Adam M Hardwicke-Brown Dorothy M Rodehutskors Barbara M O'Neill Douglas A Stewart |
| author_sort | Anna Pujadas Botey |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <h4>Background</h4>Significant intervals from the identification of suspicious symptoms to a definitive diagnosis of cancer are common. Streamlining pathways to diagnosis may increase survival, quality of life post-treatment, and patient experience. Discussions of pathways to diagnosis from the perspective of patients and family members are crucial to advancing cancer diagnosis.<h4>Aim</h4>To examine the perspectives of a group of patients with cancer and family members in Alberta, Canada, on factors associated with timelines to diagnosis and overall experience.<h4>Methods</h4>A qualitative approach was used. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with patients with cancer (n = 18) and patient relatives (n = 5) were conducted and subjected to a thematic analysis.<h4>Findings</h4>Participants struggled emotionally in the diagnostic period. Relevant to their experience were: potentially avoidable delays, concerns about health status, and misunderstood investigation process. Participants emphasized the importance of their active involvement in the care process, and had unmet supportive care needs.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Psychosocial supports available to potential cancer patients and their families are minimal, and may be important for improved experiences before diagnosis. Access to other patients' lived experiences with the diagnostic process and with cancer, and an enhanced supportive role of family doctors might help improve experiences for patients and families in the interval before receiving a diagnosis of cancer, which may have a significant impact on wellbeing. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T07:33:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3ae757f23fd940b4ab2a8ae95674d8c1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T07:33:14Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-3ae757f23fd940b4ab2a8ae95674d8c12022-12-21T23:11:17ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032020-01-01159e023937410.1371/journal.pone.0239374From symptom to cancer diagnosis: Perspectives of patients and family members in Alberta, Canada.Anna Pujadas BoteyPaula J RobsonAdam M Hardwicke-BrownDorothy M RodehutskorsBarbara M O'NeillDouglas A Stewart<h4>Background</h4>Significant intervals from the identification of suspicious symptoms to a definitive diagnosis of cancer are common. Streamlining pathways to diagnosis may increase survival, quality of life post-treatment, and patient experience. Discussions of pathways to diagnosis from the perspective of patients and family members are crucial to advancing cancer diagnosis.<h4>Aim</h4>To examine the perspectives of a group of patients with cancer and family members in Alberta, Canada, on factors associated with timelines to diagnosis and overall experience.<h4>Methods</h4>A qualitative approach was used. In-depth, semi-structured interviews with patients with cancer (n = 18) and patient relatives (n = 5) were conducted and subjected to a thematic analysis.<h4>Findings</h4>Participants struggled emotionally in the diagnostic period. Relevant to their experience were: potentially avoidable delays, concerns about health status, and misunderstood investigation process. Participants emphasized the importance of their active involvement in the care process, and had unmet supportive care needs.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Psychosocial supports available to potential cancer patients and their families are minimal, and may be important for improved experiences before diagnosis. Access to other patients' lived experiences with the diagnostic process and with cancer, and an enhanced supportive role of family doctors might help improve experiences for patients and families in the interval before receiving a diagnosis of cancer, which may have a significant impact on wellbeing.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239374 |
| spellingShingle | Anna Pujadas Botey Paula J Robson Adam M Hardwicke-Brown Dorothy M Rodehutskors Barbara M O'Neill Douglas A Stewart From symptom to cancer diagnosis: Perspectives of patients and family members in Alberta, Canada. PLoS ONE |
| title | From symptom to cancer diagnosis: Perspectives of patients and family members in Alberta, Canada. |
| title_full | From symptom to cancer diagnosis: Perspectives of patients and family members in Alberta, Canada. |
| title_fullStr | From symptom to cancer diagnosis: Perspectives of patients and family members in Alberta, Canada. |
| title_full_unstemmed | From symptom to cancer diagnosis: Perspectives of patients and family members in Alberta, Canada. |
| title_short | From symptom to cancer diagnosis: Perspectives of patients and family members in Alberta, Canada. |
| title_sort | from symptom to cancer diagnosis perspectives of patients and family members in alberta canada |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239374 |
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