Table 3.
Summary of consensus topics in focus groups
| Agreement subject | Description | Level of consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Characteristics of new hormonal therapies | Agreement that daily dosing frequency and total number of pills per day are the most critical factors | 100% agreement |
| Daily administration frequency | Agreement that oral therapies should focus on once-daily formulations | 100% agreement |
| Total number of pills per day | Agreement that a lower number of pills per day is preferred | High consensus (Group 1: 86% agreement; Group 2: 100% agreement) |
| Pill size | Agreement that smaller pill sizes are preferred, given the advanced age of many patients with prostate cancer and potential swallowing difficulties | 100% agreement |
| Proportional ranges for pill shape (Round versus Oblong) | Pill shape is less critical than other factors, with a slight preference for round pills | High consensus (Group 1: 100% agreement; Group 2: 86% agreement) |
| Proportional ranges for pill type (Tablet versus Capsule) | Agreement that the difference between tablet and capsule is not as important as other characteristics | 100% agreement |
| Ranking of medication profiles (Medication 2: four small tablets, once daily) | High ranking for a medication profile with four small tablets taken once daily, preferred for improved adherence | High consensus (Group 2: 100% agreement; Group 1: 86% agreement) |
| Adherence rates for each medication profile | Agreement that patient adherence is influenced by factors including fear of cancer, trust in physicians, and medication access, which is a significant challenge in Mexico | Moderate consensus (Group 1: 100% agreement; Group 2: 71% agreement) |
| Impact of patient preferences on adherence | Agreement that efficacy is more important than patient preferences in medication adherence | Low-to-moderate probability |
| Impact of patient preferences on persistence | Agreement that long-term tolerability and convenience are crucial for ensuring patient persistence with oral hormone therapies | Moderate-to-high probability |
| Impact of lack of adherence on treatment outcomes | Agreement that lack of adherence significantly impacts treatment outcomes | 100% agreement |
| Impact of lack of persistence on treatment outcomes | Agreement that lack of persistence significantly impacts treatment outcomes and survival | 100% agreement |
Consensus statements regarding adherence and persistence outcomes reflect expert agreement with established clinical evidence, not findings specific to this study population