Lived experiences of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) management: a qualitative phenomenological study in Southwest China

Objectives To explore the lived experiences of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer enrolled in a patient-reported outcomes (PROs) management programme and to preliminarily understand how PROs management influences various aspects of patient care and overall quality of life.Design A qualitative...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Li Ma, Ping Chen, Cheng Yi, Wanting Hou, Changlin Li, Qingyue Liang, Xiumei Zhao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2025-01-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/1/e084259.full
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Summary:Objectives To explore the lived experiences of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer enrolled in a patient-reported outcomes (PROs) management programme and to preliminarily understand how PROs management influences various aspects of patient care and overall quality of life.Design A qualitative phenomenological study.Setting A national cancer care centre in Southwest China specialised in cancer care, with a comprehensive PROs management programme.Participants 15 participants diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.Results Five key themes emerged from our interviews, including enhanced communication with healthcare providers, attributed to the structured nature of PROs; increased perceived sense of care, with patients feeling more valued and heard; PROs management facilitated better treatment decision-making, with patients feeling more involved and empowered; improved communication with family members, aiding in better understanding and support; and varied perceptions of the impact on quality of life, with some noting improvements in specific aspects like symptom management, while others were uncertain about the overall benefit.Conclusions PROs management plays a significant role in improving communication between patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and their healthcare providers, enhancing patients’ involvement in treatment decisions, and potentially improving family dynamics. However, the impact of PROs management on the overall quality of life of patients remains complex and individualised. The findings suggest that further research with a more diverse patient population is needed to fully understand the implications of PROs management in advanced cancer care.
ISSN:2044-6055