How patient-centered is education and counseling of patients treated with oral anticancer drugs? A multicenter cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveIn this multicenter cross-sectional study, the quality of patient-centered education and counseling for patients treated with oral anticancer drugs was examined. MethodsThe CONTACT-Patient-Centered Care Questionnaire was administered to 266 patients, recruited in 11 Flemish hospitals. The questionnaire consists of 80 items, each evaluating the degree of performance of a key element in patient-centered education and counseling. ResultsIn total, 15 key elements were seriously underperformed (degree of performance < 50%). Elements regarding adherence monitoring, specific topics in patient education, and involvement of the community pharmacist and home care nurse received a very low score. Only six key elements were systematically performed (degree of performance ≥ 90%), among which the elements on communication style and involvement of the general practitioner. ConclusionThis study uncovered three major gaps in patient-centered education and counseling of patients on oral anticancer drugs: unmet patient information needs due to shortcomings in patient education, inadequate adherence monitoring, and lacking collaboration with community pharmacists and home care nurses. Practice implicationsThis study highlights the need for interdisciplinary and patient-centered education and counseling of patients using OACD, including all key stakeholders: physicians, nurses, hospital pharmacists, general practitioners, community pharmacist and home care nurses.