Perspectives of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases on e-consultation in transmural care: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Comprehensive cancer networks have been established to deliver high-quality care for patients with cancer. Logistic challenges are faced, when patients need to be referred for specialized treatments. Despite strengthened privacy legislations, digital platforms are increasingly us...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09408-5 |
| _version_ | 1797818145742782464 |
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| author | T. Hellingman M. L.H. van Beneden C. M. den Bakker B. M. Zonderhuis G. Kazemier |
| author_facet | T. Hellingman M. L.H. van Beneden C. M. den Bakker B. M. Zonderhuis G. Kazemier |
| author_sort | T. Hellingman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Comprehensive cancer networks have been established to deliver high-quality care for patients with cancer. Logistic challenges are faced, when patients need to be referred for specialized treatments. Despite strengthened privacy legislations, digital platforms are increasingly used to consult specialists from dedicated liver centers or refer patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) for local treatment strategies. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives of patients with CRLM regarding e-consultation of transmural specialists. Methods A focus group study was conducted. Patients referred from regional hospitals to an academic liver center for treatment of CRLM were asked to participate. Focus group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic content analysis of data was conducted, comprising open, axial, and selective coding of the transcripts. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) were used. Results Two focus groups were held, involving 11 patients and 8 relatives. Three major themes were identified with regard to e-consultation in transmural care: ‘data management’, ‘expertise’, and ‘information and coordination’. Confidence in the expertise of physicians appeared most important during the course of treatment, as patients experienced uncertainty after diagnosis of cancer. Despite the privacy risks, use of digital communication platforms to contact experts in the field were strongly endorsed to improve eligibility for potentially curative treatment. Moreover, e-consultation of specialists may reduce waiting times, due to effective coordination of care. Conclusion Initiatives to improve medical data transfer between care providers were encouraged to achieve effective coordination of oncological care. The potential hazard of privacy violation associated with digital data exchange is accepted by patients and their relatives, provided that use of digital data improves patient’s own health care, research or education. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T09:03:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6bee4216efd241a8a158f2688a99dba6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T09:03:40Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-6bee4216efd241a8a158f2688a99dba62023-05-28T11:12:01ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632023-05-012311910.1186/s12913-023-09408-5Perspectives of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases on e-consultation in transmural care: a qualitative studyT. Hellingman0M. L.H. van Beneden1C. M. den Bakker2B. M. Zonderhuis3G. Kazemier4Department of Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamDepartment of Strategy and Innovation, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamDepartment of Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamDepartment of Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamDepartment of Surgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAbstract Background Comprehensive cancer networks have been established to deliver high-quality care for patients with cancer. Logistic challenges are faced, when patients need to be referred for specialized treatments. Despite strengthened privacy legislations, digital platforms are increasingly used to consult specialists from dedicated liver centers or refer patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) for local treatment strategies. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives of patients with CRLM regarding e-consultation of transmural specialists. Methods A focus group study was conducted. Patients referred from regional hospitals to an academic liver center for treatment of CRLM were asked to participate. Focus group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic content analysis of data was conducted, comprising open, axial, and selective coding of the transcripts. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) were used. Results Two focus groups were held, involving 11 patients and 8 relatives. Three major themes were identified with regard to e-consultation in transmural care: ‘data management’, ‘expertise’, and ‘information and coordination’. Confidence in the expertise of physicians appeared most important during the course of treatment, as patients experienced uncertainty after diagnosis of cancer. Despite the privacy risks, use of digital communication platforms to contact experts in the field were strongly endorsed to improve eligibility for potentially curative treatment. Moreover, e-consultation of specialists may reduce waiting times, due to effective coordination of care. Conclusion Initiatives to improve medical data transfer between care providers were encouraged to achieve effective coordination of oncological care. The potential hazard of privacy violation associated with digital data exchange is accepted by patients and their relatives, provided that use of digital data improves patient’s own health care, research or education.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09408-5eHealthTelecareprivacyPatients’ views |
| spellingShingle | T. Hellingman M. L.H. van Beneden C. M. den Bakker B. M. Zonderhuis G. Kazemier Perspectives of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases on e-consultation in transmural care: a qualitative study BMC Health Services Research eHealth Telecare privacy Patients’ views |
| title | Perspectives of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases on e-consultation in transmural care: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Perspectives of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases on e-consultation in transmural care: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Perspectives of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases on e-consultation in transmural care: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perspectives of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases on e-consultation in transmural care: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Perspectives of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases on e-consultation in transmural care: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | perspectives of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases on e consultation in transmural care a qualitative study |
| topic | eHealth Telecare privacy Patients’ views |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09408-5 |
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