Table 5. Stages of framework analysis for couples’ views on their experience with cancer and HCPs.

Initial framework based on a priori issues	Revised framework based on indexing	Themes	Sub-themes
Response to cancer diagnosis (emotional response, relationship impact, change in relationship roles, coping strategies, family impact, career impact, interruption to future plans, impact on social life).	Emotional response to diagnosis (role of partner, discussing cancer with family, impact on relationship/future plans/intimacy, coping strategies)	‘Responding To Cancer’	Patient responses/Partner responses/Discussing with family
		‘The way we cope with cancer’	Individual coping strategies, Dyadic coping strategies (emotional support, practical support, communication)
Support received following diagnosis (family, social network, HCPs, informational support, emotional support, practical support)	Support from HCPs (encouraged to seek psychosocial support, counseling, information provision, confidence in treatment, coordination of care); Support groups (emotion & practical support, shared experience)	‘Our experiences with HCPs’	Confidence in diagnosis and treatment; Provision of information; Support groups; Counselling
Views on the needs of couples following diagnosis/treatment (support for partner, improving information provision, access to psychosocial support)	Emotional response to treatment (experience of loss, body image concerns, survivor guilt); Acknowledgment of relationship (impact on partners, support for partners); Provision of cancer information (what do couples understand?, managing disparity in understanding); Follow-up care (access to psychosocial services, discussing psychosocial impact with HCPs, long-term side-effects)	Transition to Survivorship’	Managing on-going effects; Improving psychosocial support during survivorship