ArticleInternational journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being2023
Decision making in the oesophageal cancer trajectory a source of tension and edginess to patients and relatives: a qualitative study.
Article in International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Institutional enrollment volume and clinical outcomes after surgery or chemoradiotherapy for clinical stage I esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a supplementary analysis of JCOG0502.Esophagus : official journal of the Japan Esophageal Society · 2026Article
- Surrogate Decision-Making by Family Caregivers for Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Gastric Cancer: Qualitative Study in a High-Volume Chinese Center.JMIR cancer · 2026Article
- Article
- Focusing on the process: experiences and needs of Chinese post-esophagectomy patients and caregivers regarding home enteral nutrition.Frontiers in nutrition · 2025Article
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4 authors.
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Abstract
purposeThe curative oesophageal cancer continuum-diagnosis, treatment and survivorship represents different phases with its own challenges for the involved parties. The process of treatment decisions and interactions between patients with oesophageal cancer (EC), relatives and health professionals is vital yet not well described. The purpose of the study was to explore patients' and relatives' experiences with the process of decision-making through the EC illness and treatment trajectory.
methodsLongitudinal explorative design was employed based on ethnographic fieldwork in the form of participant observations inspired by the American anthropologist James Spradley.
resultsSixteen patients and 18 relatives were recruited for participant observations. In total, 184 hours of participant observations were conducted. The study showed that decision-making was filled with tension and edginess. Four themes were identified: 1) The encounter with the medical authority, 2) The need to see the big picture in the treatment trajectory, 3) A predetermined treatment decision, and 4) Meeting numerous different health professionals.
conclusionThe EC trajectory and decision-making were filled with anxiety. Patients and relatives lacked an overview of the treatment pathway, leading to their role in decision-making often being governed by the medical authority. Timing information and continuity are vital factors in decision-making.
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