Table 1.

Categories and codes specific to patient experience of the radiotherapy journey.

Categories identified from user discussions	Sub Categories
Information needs	Knowledge of Treatment Mis-information Timing of Information Preconceptions of RT
Exposure	Issues of Modesty Wearing a gown in a public place
Emotional experience	Feeling embarrassed
Interactions with HCPs	Staff attitudes Feeling a burden
Finding your voice	Being listened to Disempowered
Technology focused care	Impersonal Systems and processes-including having confidence in staff and the process
Choice	Communication issues Feeling oppressed Having to have tattoos
Fear	Fear about treatment accuracy, minimising errors Feeling frightened
The waiting room experience	Inappropriate entertainment
Getting to radiotherapy	Physically getting there to the radiotherapy centre The emotional journey-what has come before (including chemotherapy, surgery the end of a long process)
Impact of side effects	Skin reactions Finding a comfortable bra to wear during the radiotherapy period
The changed self	Lost self confidence Change to personal image/body image Wanting to feel normal