The experiences of men receiving results of a prostate biopsy: a service evaluation
Cancer is a word that instils fear and uncertainty; therefore how a cancer diagnosis is communicated is paramount. This thesis is an evaluation of a service that enables men to telephone for the result of their prostate biopsy. The service has evolved over time initiated by patients need to know quickly whether or not they have cancer.
Current guidance recommends that a cancer diagnosis should be explained face to face. Evaluation of the service in 2007 by postal survey provided some evidence of support for our practice. However we wanted a deeper understanding of our patients’ experience of using our service.
Using qualitative methods of enquiry with semi-structured interviews we purposively sampled patients who had undergone a prostate biopsy and were willing to share their experience of receiving the result. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically.
We interviewed 26 men, 22 of these had cancer diagnosed. Of those 19 had telephoned the uro-oncology nurse specialist (CNS) for the biopsy result. Our analysis generated 7 main themes; “I just wanted to know as quickly as possible”, ‘Preparation’, ‘Disposition’, ‘Service’, ‘Cancer=Death’, ‘Choice’ and ‘Support’.
The key message was speed. Patients want to know their results and quickly. It is important to them that the person explaining the results is knowledgeable in the subject. It is important that they are told the facts with sensitivity and kindness. Being told face to face is not essential.
We aim to tailor services to the individual needs of patients whilst keeping our practice evidence based. Our findings suggest that for some men explaining a prostate cancer diagnosis over the telephone is not only acceptable but preferable.
Our findings challenge the recommendations that a diagnosis of cancer should always be given face to face. Our ‘expert’ patients do not always concur with ‘expert’ opinion.