Breast and Prostate Cancer Patient Perspectives and Perceptions of Interprofessional Collaboration during Cancer Treatment: A Pilot Study

Purpose: Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) in radiation oncology is inherent in the care of the cancer patient. Breast and prostate cancer patients encounter a number of health care providers during their cancer diagnosis, treatment and follow up. As the complexity of cancer treatment increases, patients are seen by interprofessional teams of specialists. These include surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and other professionals from multiple support services. There is a gap in the literature regarding the cancer patients' perspectives and perceptions of how these different professions collaborate and contribute to their cancer journeys. The purpose of this study was to explore patient perspectives and perceptions of interprofessional collaboration that were taking place at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre at Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Methods: Twenty-three patients with breast (n = 11/23) and prostate (n = 12/23) cancer were identified as being eligible to participate in the study during December 2012 to February 2013. Breast cancer patients (BCPs) and prostate cancer patients (PCPs) were invited to participate during their consultation, planning, or follow-up appointments. After a minimum of 2 weeks of treatment, they were asked to complete a survey exploring their perspectives and perceptions regarding IPC during their cancer care. Simple, descriptive statistics were performed, including percentages of Likert scale ratings. An open-ended question was included and reviewed by the team of investigators for common emerging themes.

Results: In terms of patient perspective, all surveyed patients (100%) reported IPC among different health care professions was important to them. The majority of patients (91% of BCPs and 100% of PCPs) agreed IPC resulted in better patient care. The largest variation in results was seen in the statement regarding IPC resulting in less repeated information patients have to provide, with 92% of PCPs agreeing and only 55% of BCPs agreeing. In terms of patient perception, IPC at the Odette Cancer Centre was generally assessed positively. The majority of patients (100% of BCPs and 84% of PCPs) agreed that the health care professions worked well as a team. 64% of BCPs and 100% of PCPs reported the health care professionals communicated well with each other. Most patients (82% of BCPs and 92% of PCPs) reported feeling part of the health care team.

Conclusion: IPC was found to be important to the majority of respondents. Patient experiences were almost uniformly positive with radiation therapists, radiation oncologists, and radiation nurses. An unexpected outcome of 37% of BCPs did not agree that repeating health information to multiple health care professionals was negative to their care.