Effective maNagement of depression among patients witH cANCEr (ENHANCE): A protocol for a qualtiative study on stakeholder perspectives of Network Meta-Analysis findings on the most effective treatments for depression

Abstract

Depression is very common among patients with cancer, yet many patients with depression do not receive treatments for depression that may help them. The best available evidence for the management of depression among patients with cancer comes from systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that use network-meta analysis (NMA) to compare different treatment approaches and rank these in terms of effectiveness. However, patient and healthcare provider stakeholders should be involved in interpreting this evidence and determining how it can best be put into practice to meet patients’ needs. The aim of the current study is to explore stakeholders’ views of the best available evidence on the management of depression among patients with cancer, and their views on the implementation of this evidence in Ireland. We will hold 8 online focus group discussions (FGDs; n = 4 - 8) with patients who have experience of cancer and depression and healthcare providers (i.e., doctors and nurses who specialise in the delivery of cancer care, psychologists, psychiatrists, physiotherapists, and healthcare professionals working in charities that support patients with cancer). Participants will be recruited through advertisements in newsletters, e-mail distribution lists and the social media accounts of various cancer-related groups and healthcare professional bodies. FGDs will be video-recorded and will involve a brief presentation of findings from an NMA, followed by a discussion using a semi-structured topic guide. Digital recordings will be transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. This study will help to inform psycho-oncology guidelines and policy in Ireland by identifying key factors likely to affect the application of the findings on the effectiveness of depression interventions among patients with cancer.