Table 4.

Summary of participants’ views on the perceived benefits of the Melanoma Care Study

Major themes	Participant’s ID*	Participant quotations
An opportunity to share one’s fears and feel understood	WP1	Cancer can be lonely and frightening and this allowed me to express all of those fears before and after appointments and about the impact on my life. This had never happened before. Other patients may not have anyone to talk to either. This was the best opportunity and I was in a dark place—you feel so much more alive.
	MP1	I feel sharing private fears helped me deal with these issues.
	WP2	It helps to talk to someone who understands when you get your first melanoma.
An opportunity to explore one’s experiences in depth	WP3	Engaging in a conversation with the psychologist made me realise that I still needed to address particular issues which I thought I had dealt with but obviously had not.
	MP1	I felt that the sessions with my psychologist were the first real extended discussions I’ve had in relation to my melanoma risk in over 20 years of melanoma care. I was very satisfied at the end of the sessions because I felt I’d been able to share a burden and get some sensible advice.
Positive experiences	MP2	Education gives understanding and comfort.
	WP1	I feel happier for having someone to talk to about it. My psychologist made me think about taking control of my life and I feel I have been given the skills to understand and manage my fear and to feel worthwhile.
	MP3	Reinforced my confidence
	MP4	The psychologist assisted greatly with dealing with emotional feelings.
Improved doctor-patient communication	MP1	I was given suggested strategies for dealing with negative thoughts about my melanoma risk. I was encouraged to discuss longstanding and new concerns with the high-risk clinic doctor. I felt that the psychologist was genuinely interested in helping me address concerns.
Good source of medical information	WP4	Understand what happens after diagnosis, what to expect and support options available.
	WP5	A clearer understanding of the different stages of melanoma.
Supplement information from the doctors	WP4	I would recommend the booklet because it answers a lot of questions that you would sometimes forget to ask medical staff and you can also refer to it at any time to clarify any areas of confusion.
	MP6	If various things are not explained by your GP, the booklet fills that void.
Reassurance	WP6	Statistics on recurrence that helped me feel calmer.
Requests for continued psychological support	MP5	I wish the support was ongoing and not just a study and I hope that the study will result in this service eventually being a part of patients’ treatment.
	MP1	Provide an annual ’catch-up' counselling call.
Challenge for future support	WP1	The study and help came at the right time and the challenge for me will be to seek the help I may need in the future
	WP3	I suggest at the beginning of the sessions that patients might find they’d like help and support beyond the study and help them to find a suitable psychologist… I’m not sure how to find someone who might be better for cancer patients.
	WP1	Feeling withdrawn and empty for a few weeks after the counselling stopped for a few months. Knowing it’s only a study, even though I’ve been strongly encouraged to seek support after the study.

*WP, female participant; MP, male participant.