Assessing the relevance and requirement of a prostate cancer passport: A patient-centric survey.

Abstract

e23037 Background: Prostate cancer, a prevalent malignancy among men worldwide, necessitates a multifaceted approach to its management, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment care. The absence of a consolidated and accessible cancer information for prostate cancer patients prompts an exploration into the necessity and potential benefits of a dedicated Prostate Cancer Passport. This survey-based study seeks to elucidate patient perspectives and assess the demand for it. Methods: We Surveyed prostate cancer patients attending St James Hospital Medical Oncology OPD and day ward. The survey methodology integrated a diverse cohort of individuals representing varying demographics, encompassing age groups and socio-economic backgrounds. Questions were structured to gauge patient awareness, preferences, and perceived benefits associated with the adoption of a Prostate Passport. The survey was structured to gauge patient awareness levels regarding existing health record systems, preferences for a specialized Prostate Cancer Passport, and anticipated benefits associated with its implementation Furthermore, the survey seeked to elucidate potential concerns, barriers to adoption, and the anticipated impact on patient-provider interactions. Results: The survey’s findings indicate a significant interest among participants in the implementation of a specialized platform like the Prostate Passport, with more than 65% expressing enthusiasm about its potential benefits in improving healthcare management. However, 20% of patients reported not receiving any prostate cancer information booklet from their healthcare providers. Additionally, 30% of participants expressed dissatisfaction with communication with their medical team, while over 40% lacked confidence in their understanding of prostate cancer. Nevertheless, concerns related to data security were raised by more than 25% of patients, and approximately 23% identified potential barriers to adoption, such as interoperability with existing healthcare systems and ease of access across different healthcare settings. However, concerns regarding data security were highlighted by over 25% of patients and about 23% of patients identified interoperability with existing healthcare systems, and ease of access across various healthcare settings as potential barriers to adoption. Conclusions: The survey outcomes offer valuable perspectives on the distinct requirements and preferences of individuals facing prostate cancer. This data is crucial for customizing the Prostate Cancer Passport's design and functionalities to effectively cater to those needs. Our initial iteration of the prostate cancer passport has been completed and will be distributed to our oncology patients in the upcoming week. We plan to conduct a feedback survey in six months to gather insights and further enhance the passport based on user experiences.