Patients’ Preferences for Models of Follow-Up Care During or After Initial Cancer Treatment in Greece: Development of the Qualitative Phase, and Protocol for a Discrete Choice Experiment

Abstract

Cancer survivors face a range of physical symptoms, emotional and practical difficulties, and late and long-term effects of treatment. Follow-up care aims to monitor the effectiveness and safety of treatments, and detect recurrence or metastasis. However, survivorship care extends beyond clinical aspects, and should include all forms of necessary support, such as psychological, informational, and practical assistance. The European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights emphasises patient-centred care, and the right to access information, receive personalised care, participate in decision-making, and receive psychological and social support. There are national plans for cancer care in place in Greece, and it is essential to acknowledge patient preferences and the acceptability of emerging plans for the ever-expanding population of survivors of cancer. A discrete choice experiment (DCE) will be conducted to identify and quantify the preferences of Greek patients with cancer towards a care model that reflects the current state of cancer care, while also providing valuable insights into what patients consider important. By understanding patients’ preferences, the study aims to identify areas for improvement, and contribute to the development of more patient-centred care models in Greece. This study will mark the first systematic measurement and quantification of preferences of patients with cancer in the Greek context. This paper presents the development of the qualitative phase of the DCE, which focused on identifying the characteristics that are both important and relevant to patients with cancer. Further, it outlines the protocol for the subsequent stages of the study, which involve the DCE experimental design, the data collection, and analysis and dissemination of the findings.