Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34814886›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2021

Expectations of treatment outcomes in patients with spinal metastases; what do we tell our patients? A qualitative study.

Anne L Versteeg, Roxanne Gal, Raphaele Charest-Morin, Jorrit-Jan Verlaan, Hester Wessels, Charles G Fisher, Helena M Verkooijen

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Anne L VersteegDivision of Imaging and Cancer, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508, GA, Utrecht, the Netherlands. A.L.Versteeg-5@umcutrecht.nl.
Roxanne GalDivision of Imaging and Cancer, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508, GA, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Raphaele Charest-MorinDivision of Spine, Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Jorrit-Jan VerlaanDepartment of Orthopaedic surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Hester WesselsDepartment of Corporate Communications, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Charles G FisherDivision of Spine, Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia and Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Helena M VerkooijenDivision of Imaging and Cancer, University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508, GA, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRealistic pre-treatment expectations are important and have been associated with post-treatment health related quality of life (HRQOL). Patient expectations are greatly influenced by physicians, as they are the primary resource for information. This study aimed to explore the communication practices of physicians regarding treatment outcomes for patients with spinal metastases, and physician experiences with patients' pre-treatment expectations.

methodsAn international qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with physicians routinely involved in treating metastatic spine disease (spine surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists, and rehabilitation specialists) was conducted. Physicians were interviewed about the content and extent of information they provide to patients with spinal metastases regarding treatment options, risks and treatment outcomes. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a thematic coding network.

resultsAfter 22 interviews data saturation occurred. The majority of the physicians indicated that they currently do not establish patients' pre-treatment expectations, despite acknowledging the importance of these expectations. Spine surgeons often believe that patient expectations are disproportionate. Physicians expressed they manage expectations by detailing the most common risks and providing a broad but nonspecific overview of treatment outcomes. While the palliative intent seems clear to the physicians, their perception is that the implications of a palliative treatment remains elusive to most patients.

conclusionThis study highlights the current gap in patient-physician communication regarding expectations of treatment outcomes of patients with spinal metastases. These results warrant further research to improve communication practices and determine the effect of patient expectations on patient reported outcomes in this population.

Indexed as

CommunicationAttitude of Health PersonnelCounselingFemaleHumansMaleOncologistsPalliative CarePhysical and Rehabilitation MedicinePhysician-Patient RelationsPrognosisQualitative ResearchQuality of LifeRadiation OncologistsRisk AssessmentSpinal NeoplasmsHealth related quality of lifePatient expectationsPatient physician communicationQualitative researchSpinal metastases

Identifiers

PMID34814886
PMCPMC8611925

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.