Editorial Comment: Understanding Experiences and Needs of Patients With Prostate Cancer Across Asia-Pacific: A Cross-Sectional Mixed Methods Study
Year: 2024
Type: editorial
Abstract: The authors should be commended for this mixed methods study examining patients with prostate cancer, their caregivers, and physicians, with the intent to provide insight into the impact of prostate cancer on patient's lives and identify themes associated with their experiences.1 Patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer or metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer from five different countries in the Asia-Pacific region were included. The authors identify four key themes pertaining to patient-reported gaps in care: lack of knowledge about condition, poor patient-physician communication, inadequate proactive shared decision making, and limited psychosocial support. The authors conclude by suggesting potential solutions to the care gaps identified, including patient educational materials with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) monitoring tool, initiatives co-created with key stakeholders and medical societies, and improved multidisciplinary collaborative care efforts. This study employs the exploratory sequential model of mixed methods research. Mixed methods research is defined as employing both traditional quantitative data and qualitative data in a single-phase or multiphase study.2,3 Here, the authors use qualitative data from interviews of patients and their caregivers (phase 1) to identify themes regarding the impact of prostate cancer and care gaps. These qualitative data were subsequently used to create surveys that were collected from patients with prostate cancer and physicians, providing the quantitative data (phase 2). Mixed methods research is an emerging technique particularly suited for health services research given its ability to explore intricacies of patient experience. In addition, as demonstrated in this study, it is particularly useful for its ability to generate hypotheses and its flexibility to explore emerging themes as the data are collected. Overall, this exploratory study can serve as a starting point for further investigations and initiatives to help bridge gaps in prostate cancer care.
Source: JU Open Plus
Authors: Peyton A. Skupin, Bruce L. Jacobs
Institution: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Language: English
Topic: Cancer survivorship and care
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4402306830