Patient Engagement in Oncology Practice: A Qualitative Study on Patients’ and Nurses’ Perspectives

Angela Tolotti, Serena Barello (), Camilla Vignaduzzo, Sarah Jayne Liptrott, Dario Valcarenghi, Tiziana Nania, Davide Sari and Loris Bonetti
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Angela Tolotti: Nursing Development and Research Unit, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via Gallino, 12, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
Serena Barello: EngageMinds HUB—Consumer, Food & Health Engagement Research Center, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano and Cremona, L.Go Gemelli 1, 20123 Milan, Italy
Camilla Vignaduzzo: EngageMinds HUB—Consumer, Food & Health Engagement Research Center, Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano and Cremona, L.Go Gemelli 1, 20123 Milan, Italy
Sarah Jayne Liptrott: Nursing Development and Research Unit, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via Gallino, 12, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
Dario Valcarenghi: Nursing Development and Research Unit, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via Gallino, 12, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
Tiziana Nania: Health Professions Research and Development Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Piazza Edmondo Malan, 2, San Donato Milanese, 20097 Milan, Italy
Davide Sari: Department of Nursing, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Via Gallino, 12, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland
Loris Bonetti: Nursing Research Competence Centre, Department of Nursing, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), Viale Officina, 3, 6500 Bellinzona, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-17

Abstract: Patient engagement has gained increasing attention in cancer care as it is widely acknowledged as an essential element of high-quality care. There are limited data on how oncology nurses might apply techniques that encourage patient engagement. Therefore, this study aims to understand which nursing strategies can favour patient engagement in oncological care from patients’ and nurses’ perspectives. We conducted a qualitative study involving oncology patients and oncology nurses. Patients were interviewed, while nurses were involved in focus groups (FGs). Both interviews and FGs were analysed by the means of thematic analysis. We interviewed six patients and conducted two FGs, involving 17 nurses. Five themes were identified from patients’ interviews: effective information, having the opportunity to choose, being considered a person, trusted relationship with nurses, and receiving support and advice. Additionally, five themes were identified from the FGs: the nurse–patient relationship, personalisation of care, information style, engagement strategies, and the team. The participants highlighted the importance of comprehensive information in order for patients to feel more involved. Great importance was given to the nurse–patient relationship, which must be based on trust and mutual respect. Both nurses and patients emphasised the importance of person-centred care. A more systematic implementation of suggestions from the participants in this study is desirable for the future.

Keywords: patient activation; empowerment; patient engagement; patient involvement; patient participation; neoplasm; nurse; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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