Objective: Recent studies from Germany show that a small amount of breast and gynecological cancer patients participate in multidisciplinary tumor conferences (MTCs) at some cancer centers. One reason for the variation by center might be the providers' attitudes about and experiences with MTC patient participation (MTCpp), which has not been analyzed before. Therefore, it is the aim of this study to analyze the providers' expected or experienced feasibility concerning MTCpp at breast and gynecological cancer centers in Germany. Methods: This paper presents cross-sectional qualitative interview data from the PINTU study. From April to December 2018, n=30 health-care providers from n=6 breast and gynecological cancer centers in North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, were interviewed. Onehalf of the providers had no experience and the other half had experience with MTCpp. Inductive and deductive coding was performed in order to capture the feasibility aspects of participation. Results: MTCpp seems not to be feasible in routine cancer care following providers' expected barriers and negative experiences. However, MTCpp seems to be feasible for selected cancer patients following providers' expected opportunities and positive experiences. Our results show that both provider groups report positive and negative experiences or expectations. Conclusion: The mixed findings regarding expected or experienced feasibility of MTCpp provide first insights into differences concerning MTCpp between organizations. Our results suggest that the providers' perceptions (expectations and experiences) influence the possibility for patients to participate in an MTC in a cancer center.

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Objective: In some breast and gynecological cancer centers in Germany, patients participate in multidisciplinary tumor conferences (MTCs) during the discussion of their own case. The aim of this study was to explore providers' perceptions concerning patients' emotional experiences during participation in an MTC by comparing the perspectives of providers with and without experience with patient participation. Methods: In this study, semi-structured interviews with n = 30 providers in n = 6 breast and gynecological cancer centers in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, were conducted. One half of the providers had no experience and the other half had experience with patient participation in MTCs. The interviews were audiotaped and transcribed, and content analysis was performed. Results: The results of this study show a mixed picture of met, unmet and disappointed needs of patients and their emotional reactions, which mainly overlap between both provider groups. Our results show that both provider groups report positive and negative experiences or expectations. Conclusion: The mixed results regarding expected and perceived patient experiences from the providers' perspective suggest that patient participation in MTCs may not be exclusively of benefit. Further research on advantages and disadvantages for patients and on feasibility from the providers' perspective is necessary and will be conducted within the PINTU project.

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