Provider perspectives on barriers and facilitators to adjuvant endocrine therapy-related symptom management.

Abstract

155 Background: Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET)-related symptom management (SM) among breast cancer survivors (BCS) typically involves a multidisciplinary team of health care providers; yet few studies have examined provider perspectives on AET-related SM. The purpose of this study was to examine provider perspectives on the barriers and facilitators to AET-related SM among BCS and opportunities for improvement. Methods: We conducted 3 focus groups (FGs) with a multidisciplinary group of health care providers (n = [6] physician; n = [7] non-physician) experienced in caring for BCS undergoing AET. We utilized semi-structured discussion guides to elicit provider perspectives on AET-related SM and its barriers and facilitators as well as recommendations for improvement. All FGs were held at the University of Pittsburgh, audiotaped, and transcribed. We analyzed FG transcripts using qualitative software to identify key themes. Results: Providers described patient-, provider-, and system- level facilitators and barriers to AET-related SM. At the patient-level, facilitators included social support and provider communication about symptoms while cancer-related distress, misinformation and misinterpretation of online information were identified as barriers. Provider-level facilitators included strong relationships with other providers and ongoing communication with patients; however, lack of time, insufficient resources, and challenges distinguishing AET-related symptoms from other conditions were key provider-level barriers. Finally, at the system-level, electronic health records were described as both a facilitator and barrier to SM. Moreover, poor care coordination among different providers and lack of clear guidelines on which provider “owns” AET-related SM emerged as key system-level barriers. Conclusions: Findings suggest that efforts to improve AET-related SM should span multiple levels, in order to address patient-, provider-, and system-level barriers to SM. Recommendations include increased education for patients, greater access to clinical decision support tools for providers, and improved coordination of survivorship resources within hospitals.