TABLE 3.
Implementation Considerations Expressed by Study Participants, by Theme
| Theme | Example Quotes | Key Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Channel: processes for communicating the information | “I think the tool can help, I just think you wouldn't want the tool to be the one sharing the message, if that makes sense? I'd still want to have the doctor be the one sharing the message.” (Individual Interview Participant 2—Cancer Survivor) “The medical team is being proactive, knowing what I need. I don't even know what questions to ask. That's one of the terrors of going through all this. Is being afraid of, if you have any questions, ‘Well, I don't know enough to have questions. Walk me through this. You've been through this a gazillion times. I'm going through it once. Walk me through it. Get me to supportive care. I mean, do I need to get my paperwork in order? How do I manage blah-blah-blah?’ So, yeah, everything from a nutritionist to a lawyer, you know? You know what I need, I don't. So, be proactive. That would be the message I would love in that recommended action box.” (Individual Interview Participant 2—Cancer Survivor) |
It is important that the patient's oncologist be the one who shares the tool and guides discussion about prognosis |
| Format: format for communicating the information | “And he was very helpful with, it was all in discussion, but a sheet of paper would have been wonderful.” (Focus Group 2 Participant—Caregiver) | A screenshot of the tool should be printable or saved to the EHR and patient portal, so a summary can be viewed after the appointment |
| Information: information that's communicated when using the tool | “I don't know that there's ever enough information, but… it prompts discussion then to gather more information…” (Focus Group 1 Participant—Caregiver) | The tool springboards information seeking, which reinforces the need to present the tool in the context of a conversation with the patient's oncologist |
| Person: who should receive communication about prognosis information using the tool | “… It depends on the patient. Like, finding out whether a patient wants to know their prognosis—I've met people who even at that point would be like ‘I do not want to know any of that information. I just want to try all the things possible.’” (Individual Interview Participant 4—Cancer Survivor and Caregiver) | Receptiveness to the tool is dependent upon the individual |
| Workflow: when the tool may be used in the process of delivering care | “I wouldn't want to wait until things didn't work. I'd want that tool from the very, very onset. And with that tool, I would want to know, from the very beginning, I would want to know what it would look like if I didn't do any treatment at all, no matter what my prognosis was, right?” (Individual Interview Participant 6—Caregiver) | Prognosis information should be shared early in the course of diagnosis and treatment using the tool with interested patients who meet the criteria for advanced solid tumors rather than waiting until the 6-month chance of survival is low |
Abbreviation: EHR, electronic health record.