Published online Jun 15, 2022. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i6.1175
Peer-review started: January 14, 2022
First decision: March 13, 2022
Revised: April 1, 2022
Accepted: May 17, 2022
Article in press: May 17, 2022
Published online: June 15, 2022
Processing time: 146 Days and 6.3 Hours
Neoadjuvant therapy (NT) has increasingly been utilized for patients with localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). It is the recommended approach for borderline resectable (BR) and locally advanced (LA) and it has also increasingly been utilized for potentially resectable (PR) disease. However, little research has focused on patient-centered metrics among patients undergoing NT, including patient experiences, preferences, and recommendations.
A better understanding of all aspects of the patient experience during NT may help identify opportunities to design interventions aimed at improving quality of life. It may also facilitate the completion of NT and receipt of surgery, ultimately optimizing long-term outcomes.
This research aims to understand the experience of patients initiating and receiving NT to identify opportunities to improve neoadjuvant cancer care delivery.
Semi-structured, open-ended interviews of patients with localized PDAC during NT were conducted to explore their experience initiating and receiving NT. Interviews were conducted over the phone. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded by two independent researchers using NVivo 12, iteratively identifying themes until thematic saturation was achieved.
A total of 12 patients with localized PDAC were interviewed. All patients indicated that choosing NT was the doctor’s recommendation and most reported not being familiar with the concept of NT (n = 11, 92%). Five patient experience themes emerged: physical symptoms, emotional symptoms, coping mechanisms, access to care, and life factors. Improved education before and during NT was the most commonly cited recommendation for improving the experience during NT (n = 7, 58%). Patients highlighted the need for more information on the rationale behind choosing NT prior to surgery, the anticipated surgery and its likelihood of surgery occurring after NT, as well as general information prior to starting NT treatment.
This study provides a framework to allow for a better understanding of the PDAC patient experience during NT and highlights opportunities to improve quality and quantity of life outcomes.
This exploratory research utilizes qualitative interviews to examine the patient experience when initiating and receiving NT.