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Patient perceptions and preferences about prostate fiducial markers and ultrasound motion monitoring procedures in radiation therapy treatment

journal contribution
posted on 2021-05-28, 00:41 authored by Amy Brown, Tilley Pain, Robyn PrestonRobyn Preston
Introduction: Patient experiences and preferences of image‐guidance procedures in prostate cancer radiotherapy are largely unknown. This study explored experiences and preferences of patients undergoing both fiducial marker (FM) insertion and Clarity ultrasound (US) procedures. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed method approach was used. A questionnaire (n = 40) ranked experiences from 0 to 10 (worst) in the domains of invasiveness; pain; physical discomfort; and psychological discomfort. Responses were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Semi‐structured interviews (n = 22) obtained further insights into their perspectives and preferences and were thematically analysed. Results: Perceptions of invasiveness varied with 46% reporting FMs more invasive than US and 49% the same for the two procedures. The mean score for FM was 3.6 and 2.1 for US. Mean scores for pain, physical and psychological discomfort were higher for FMs with 3.3, 3.2 and 2.9, respectively, and 1.1, 1.2 and 1.7 respectively for US, only pain achieved significance (P < 0.05). Three themes emerged from the interviews: Expectations versus Experience; Preferences linked to Priorities; and Motivations. Eleven patients (50%) preferred US; however, 10 (45%) could not illicit a preference. Conclusion Participants found both of the FM and US image‐guidance procedures tolerable and acceptable. Men’s preference was elusive, suggesting a more rigorous preference methodology is required to understand preferences in this population.

Funding

Category 2 - Other Public Sector Grants Category

History

Volume

68

Issue

1

Start Page

37

End Page

43

Number of Pages

7

eISSN

2051-3909

ISSN

2051-3895

Location

United States

Publisher

Wiley

Publisher License

CC BY-NC-ND

Additional Rights

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Language

en

Peer Reviewed

  • Yes

Open Access

  • Yes

Acceptance Date

2020-09-11

External Author Affiliations

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

Author Research Institute

  • Centre for Indigenous Health Equity Research

Era Eligible

  • Yes

Medium

Print-Electronic

Journal

Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences

Article Number

jmrs.438