"It's a maybe test": men's experiences of prostate specific antigen testing in primary care.
BACKGROUND
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing in primary care is an important and contentious issue. Due to concerns about the test and the value of early detection, countries such as the UK advocate 'informed choice' instead of population screening. It is not known whether this policy is actually adhered to in primary care. Furthermore, little is known of the experiences of men who face this decision.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the experiences, understanding, and views of men who considered or undertook PSA testing in UK primary care.


METHODS
Qualitative interview-based study.


METHODS
Primary care, Wales, UK.


METHODS
Semi-structured one-to-one interviews were conducted with 28 men, representing a range of clinical outcomes. Transcripts were coded and subjected to thematic analysis.


RESULTS
Three themes were identified: the decision-making context, the locus of decision making, and uncertainty related to the PSA test.


CONCLUSIONS
The decision to undertake PSA testing was affected by both social and media factors and it did not appear to be a patient-led decision. The decision created considerable uncertainty for men and this uncertainty persisted after the test, even if the result was normal. Raised PSA led to further investigations and this exacerbated the uncertainty. Anxiety and regret were consequences of this uncertainty.
Evans
Rhodri
R
Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Cardiff University, Neuadd Meirionydd, Heath Park, Cardiff. evans10@cardiff.ac.uk
Edwards
Adrian G K
AG
Elwyn
Glyn
G
Watson
Eila
E
Grol
Richard
R
Brett
Jo
J
Austoker
Joan
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003657:Decision Making; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D035501:Uncertainty; D014852:Wales
D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen