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Treatment decision-making during outpatient clinic visit of patients with esophagogastric cancer. The perspectives of clinicians and patients, a mixed method, multiple case study

  • Josianne C. H. B. M. Luijten*
  • , Linda Brom
  • , Pauline A. J. Vissers
  • , Yes. A. J. van de Wouw
  • , Fabienne A. R. M. Warmerdam
  • , Joos Heisterkamp
  • , Stella Mook
  • , Jamal Oulad Hadj
  • , Marc J. van Det
  • , Liesbeth Timmermans
  • , Maarten C. C. M. Hulshof
  • , Hanneke W. M. van Laarhoven
  • , Camiel Rosman
  • , Peter D. Siersema
  • , Marjan J. Westerman
  • , Rob H. A. Verhoeven*
  • , Grard A. P. Nieuwenhuijzen
  • *Corresponding author for this work
  • Department of Research & Development, IKNL, Utrecht, The Netherlands
  • Netherlands Association for Palliative Care (PZNL), Utrecht, the Netherlands
  • “VieCurie Medisch Centrum”, Venlo, the Netherlands
  • Zuyderland MC, Heerlen, Netherlands
  • Elisabeth Tweesteden Ziekenhuis, Tilburg
  • University Medical Center Utrecht
  • Gelre Ziekenhuis, Apeldoorn
  • Hospital Group Twente, Department of Surgery, Almelo, The Netherlands
  • Radboud University Medical Center
  • SPKS Leven met maag- of slokdarmkanker, Utrecht
  • University of Amsterdam
  • Amsterdam UMC - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  • Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven
  • Comprehensive Cancer Organization the Netherlands (IKNL)
  • VieCuri Medisch Centrum
  • Zuyderland Hospital
  • ETZ Elisabeth
  • Utrecht University
  • Gelre Ziekenhuizen
  • Hospital Group Twente
  • Radboud University Nijmegen
  • SPKS Leven met maag- of slokdarmkanker
  • Catharina Hospital

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Background: The probability of undergoing treatment with curative intent according to the hospital of diagnosis varies for esophagogastric cancer in the Netherlands. Little is known about the factors contributing to this variation. This study aimed to improve the understanding of the differences between the multidisciplinary team meeting treatment proposal and the treatment that was actually carried out and to qualitatively investigate the differences in treatment decision-making after the multidisciplinary team meeting treatment proposal between hospitals. Methods: To gain an in-depth understanding of treatment decision-making, quantitative data (i.e., multidisciplinary team meeting proposal and treatment that was carried out) were collected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Changes in the multidisciplinary team meeting proposal and applied treatment comprised changes in the type of treatment option (i.e., curative or palliative, or no change) and were calculated according to the multivariable multilevel probability of undergoing treatment with curative intent (low, middle, and high). Qualitative data were collected from eight hospitals, including observations of 26 outpatient clinic consultations, 30 in-depth interviews with clinicians, seven focus groups with clinicians, and three focus groups with patients. Clinicians and patients' perspectives were assessed using thematic content analysis. Results: The multidisciplinary team meeting proposal and applied treatment were concordant in 97% of the cases. Clinicians' implementation of treatment decision-making in clinical practice varied, which was mentioned by the clinicians to be due to the clinician's personality and values. Differences between clinicians consisted of discussing all treatment options versus only the best fitting treatment option and the extent of discussing the benefits and harms. Most patients aimed to undergo curative treatment regardless of the consequences, since they believed this could prolong their life. Conclusion: Since changes in the multidisciplinary team meeting-proposed treatment and actual treatment were rarely observed, this study emphasizes the importance of an adequately formulated multidisciplinary team meeting proposal.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2427-2444
Number of pages18
JournalCancer medicine
Volume11
Issue number12
Early online date2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2022

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

  • clinicians' perspectives
  • esophageal and gastric cancer
  • multidisciplinary team meeting
  • patients' perspectives
  • treatment decision-making

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