Experiences of follow-up after treatment in patients with prostate cancer: a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
To develop an understanding of experiences of follow-up in patients with prostate cancer, to seek explanations as to why men's needs might not be well met, and explore views on the possible role of primary care in follow-up. The experiences of these patients, and views on the delivery of follow-up care, have been relatively neglected compared to those diagnosed with other cancers.


METHODS
In all, 35 patients were recruited from 20 practices across three regions in the UK. Maximum variation was sought by purposely sampling by age (59-82 years), treatment, length (0.75-14 years) and mode of follow-up.


RESULTS
Patients' descriptions of the content and organization of follow-up showed the shortcomings of follow-up, which included system failings causing patients to be lost to follow-up, and unmet psychosexual needs. Patients were mainly positive about the prospect of follow-up taking place outside the hospital setting. However, some expressed concerns about current follow-up practices and suggested several improvements that need considering if primary care were to take a greater role.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identified some general deficiencies with the current system of follow-up, and our data indicate that primary care could have a role in addressing some of these.
Department of Primary Care, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Rosaleen
R
O'Brien
Peter W
PW
Rose
Christine
C
Campbell
David
D
Weller
Richard D
RD
Neal
Clare
C
Wilkinson
Eila K
EK
Watson
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D005194:Family Practice; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D036301:Qualitative Research