Abstract
BackgroundMore colon cancer patients are expected to fully recover after treatment due to earlier detection of cancer and improvements in general health- and cancer care. The objective of this study was to gather participants’ experiences with full recovery in the different treatment phases of multimodal treatment and to identify their needs during these phases. The second aim was to propose and evaluate possible solutions for unmet needs by the introduction of eHealth.MethodsA qualitative study based on two focus group discussions with 22 participants was performed. The validated Supportive Care Needs Survey and the Cancer Treatment Survey were used to form the topic list. The verbatim transcripts were analyzed with Atlas.ti. 7th version comprising open, axial and selective coding. The guidelines of the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) were used.ResultsExperiences with the treatment for colon cancer were in general positive. Most important unmet needs were ‘receiving information about the total duration of side effects’, ‘receiving information about the minimum amount of chemo needed to overall survival’ and ‘receiving a longer aftercare period(with additional attention for psychological guidance)’. More provision of information online, a chat function with the oncological nurse specialist via a website, and access to scientific articles regarding the optimal dose of chemotherapy were often mentioned as worthwhile additions to the current health care for colon cancer.ConclusionsMany of the unmet needs of colon cancer survivors occur during the adjuvant treatment phase and thereafter. To further optimize recovery and cancer care, it is necessary to have more focus on these unmet needs. More attention for identifying patients’ problems and side-effects during chemotherapy; and identifying patients’ supportive care needs after finishing chemotherapy are necessary. For some of these needs, eHealth in the form of blended care will be a possible solution.
Highlights
More colon cancer patients are expected to fully recover after treatment due to earlier detection of cancer and improvements in general health- and cancer care
There are negative developments of general healthand cancer care such as decreased availability of healthcare providers resulting in less availability for patients at the outpatient clinic, and centralization of care increasing the distance to hospitals and increasing overall health care costs [13,14,15,16]
This development applies to colon cancer care as a strain on health service provision is placed due to increasing survival rates resulting in similar needs and problems regarding care [18,19,20]
Summary
More colon cancer patients are expected to fully recover after treatment due to earlier detection of cancer and improvements in general health- and cancer care. More colon cancer patients are expected to fully recover as a result of improvement of general healthcare, optimization of cancer treatment and increased earlier detection of colorectal cancer through screening programs [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Care of patients with chronic diseases is fragmented resulting in among others incomplete delivery of information and in less support from health care professionals how to deal with problems [17] This development applies to colon cancer care as a strain on health service provision is placed due to increasing survival rates resulting in similar needs and problems regarding care (e.g. guidance, communication and monitoring) [18,19,20]. The care of cancer survivors is transferred to the community and survivors will be encouraged to play an active role in their own care themselves [21]
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