The unmet information needs, quality of life, and care experiences of patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) at follow-up: 6 months from diagnosis

Abstract

Objectives To identify changes in the healthcare preferences, patient experiences, and quality of life of patients with NETs at 6-month follow-up, informing the design of supportive care services. Methods This study presents 6-month follow-up data of a mixed-methods multi-site study. Demographic, clinical, and patient-reported outcome questionnaire data was collected. Results High percentages of suboptimal experiences of care were reported. Patients reported less positive experiences with being involved in decisions about their care and treatment; their family or someone close to them having the opportunity to talk to their cancer doctor, or having their family or someone close to them receive all the information they need to help care for them at home. Patients also reported negative experiences for on the information about their cancer accessible online and the usefulness of the information they accessed. Differences between baseline and follow-up scores were mostly not significant apart from anxiety and sleep disturbance scales, Conclusions Patients with NETs report difficulties in accessing and understanding written information that is persistent over time. Practice implications Outcomes will inform the design and development of an informational resource aimed at facilitating improved understanding for patients with NETs.