Informing the development of an online resource for patients with oral cancer: triangulation of qualitative data from patients and healthcare professionals

Abstract

Background: The traditional, paternalistic, paradigm of healthcare delivery is no longer acceptable; with transformation placing greater emphasis on shared-care and decision-making, centred on patients' values, needs and preferences. In this process, patients with cancer often assume a more active role in healthcare.The internet has acted as a likely catalyst and, or facilitator in this process, with proliferation during the global pandemic. Consequently, there has been an expansion of health information being accessed online by patients. A recent scoping review indicated a lack of high-quality evidence-based online resources for head and neck patients, with a paucity of end-user involvement during development. To inform the development and co-design of a high-quality, acceptable online resource for oral cancer patients, aimed at facilitating shared decision-making and treatment preparedness, patients' and healthcare professionals' (HCPs) preferences have been elucidated in this study.Methods: Qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews was employed with patients (n=10) and three focus groups with HCPs (n=21) to understand their perceptions and preference on content, issues to be addressed and key design elements of an online resource to promote decision-making and coping with oral cancer and its treatment effects. Reflexive thematic analysis (TA) was used to analyse both data sets, which were then triangulated.