title: The influence of contextual factors on patient involvement during follow-up consultations after colorectal cancer surgery: a case study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the contextual factors that influence individual patient involvement during colorectal cancer surgical follow-up consultations.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The healthcare system is subject to the requirement and expectation of greater involvement of patients and relatives. Increased patient involvement requires the development and implementation of new communication initiatives. Research shows that it is also necessary to consider the contextual circumstances surrounding patient involvement in specific situations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case study of a single Danish outpatient clinic, which allows the issues and circumstances involved in an everyday situation to be captured.
  
  
  METHODS
  12 nonparticipative observations of outpatient visits and, subsequently, seven in-depth patient interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Content analysis based on a dialogical, interactive framework, which underpinned the identification of current contextual factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed five contextual factors that seemed to have an impact on patient involvement. The first, 'Two dimensions of patient involvement: treatment-oriented and person-oriented' highlighted a dual interpretation of patient involvement in the consultation situation. The two dimensions seemed to be influenced by four additional factors: 'Doctors leading the agenda', 'Traditional health professional roles', 'Unclear responsibilities' and 'Guidance primarily focused on treatment'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed how patient involvement in clinical practice could be understood as a two-way movement, in which patients are invited to participate in clinical practice, while health professionals are invited to participate in the patients' lives. The movement will change from situation to situation and is influenced by several contextual factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results can help doctors and nurses to navigate using a goal-oriented approach towards patient involvement. The study makes visible the need for research-based development of the independent role of the nursing profession in cancer care follow-up, with a view to enhanced patient-centred care.
authors.affiliation: Research Unit, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.|Institute of Regional Health Services Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
authors.forename: Thora G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.affiliation: Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Digestive Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Soelver
authors.affiliation: Research Unit, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.|Institute of Regional Health Services Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark.
authors.forename: Bibi
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hølge-Hazelton
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations
keywords: cancer; case study; context; follow-up; outpatient; patient involvement