A longitudinal communication approach in advanced lung cancer: A qualitative study of patients’, relatives’ and staff's perspectives
Corresponding Author
M. Villalobos MD
Senior Physician
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University Hospital Heidelberg and Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Heidelberg, Germany
Correspondence
Matthias Villalobos, Department of Thoracic Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorK. Coulibaly MD
Doctoral Student
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorK. Krug Dr. Dipl.-Psych.
Research Assistant
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorM. Kamradt MSc
Research Assistant
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorM. Wensing PhD, MSc
Deputy Director
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorA. Siegle MA
Research Assistant
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University Hospital Heidelberg and Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorJ. Kuon MD
Oncologist
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University Hospital Heidelberg and Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorC. Eschbach MD
Palliative Care Specialist
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University Hospital Heidelberg and Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorG. Tessmer Dipl.-Psych.
Psychologist
Evangelische Lungenklinik Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorE. Winkler MD, PhD
Extraordinary Professor
National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorJ. Szecsenyi MD
University Professor, Director
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorD. Ose MPH
Visiting Instructor
Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Search for more papers by this authorM. Thomas MD
University Professor, Director
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University Hospital Heidelberg and Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
M. Villalobos MD
Senior Physician
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University Hospital Heidelberg and Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Heidelberg, Germany
Correspondence
Matthias Villalobos, Department of Thoracic Oncology, University Hospital Heidelberg and Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorK. Coulibaly MD
Doctoral Student
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorK. Krug Dr. Dipl.-Psych.
Research Assistant
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorM. Kamradt MSc
Research Assistant
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorM. Wensing PhD, MSc
Deputy Director
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorA. Siegle MA
Research Assistant
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University Hospital Heidelberg and Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorJ. Kuon MD
Oncologist
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University Hospital Heidelberg and Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorC. Eschbach MD
Palliative Care Specialist
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University Hospital Heidelberg and Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorG. Tessmer Dipl.-Psych.
Psychologist
Evangelische Lungenklinik Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorE. Winkler MD, PhD
Extraordinary Professor
National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorJ. Szecsenyi MD
University Professor, Director
Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorD. Ose MPH
Visiting Instructor
Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Search for more papers by this authorM. Thomas MD
University Professor, Director
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), University Hospital Heidelberg and Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC-H), Heidelberg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Communication and the care of patients with advanced cancer are a dynamic, interactive and challenging process, often characterised in every day practice by discontinuity and lack of coordination. The objective of this study was to explore the patients’ and family-caregivers’ needs and preferences regarding communication, quality of life and care over the trajectory of disease. The second aim was to assess health professionals’ views on a longitudinally structured, forward-thinking communication approach based on defined milestones. A qualitative approach was chosen incorporating semi-structured interviews with nine patients with metastatic lung cancer and nine relatives, and focus groups with 15 healthcare providers from different professions involved in the care of these patients. Patients and relatives described a situation of shock and coping deficits with moments of insufficient communication and lack of continuity in care. Healthcare providers reported the strong need for improvement in communication within the team and between patients and professionals and welcomed the implementation of a longitudinal communication approach. Requirements for the implementation of a longitudinal communication approach include specific communication training with focus on the process that patients and relatives are involved in. Team-building measures and the necessary flexibility to respect individuality in life should be incorporated.
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