Thoracic surgeon and patient focus groups on decision-making in early-stage lung cancer surgery

To investigate medical decision-making from the thoracic surgeons' and patients' perspectives in early-stage lung cancer.

We conducted one focus group with thoracic surgeons (n = 15) and one with a group of early-stage lung cancer patients treated with surgery (n = 7). Focus groups were recorded, transcribed and coded for themes.

For surgeons, surgical procedure choice was a primary concern, followed by the surgical treatment plan decision-making process. Survivors focused primarily on the physical and mental health-related postsurgical burden for which they felt they were not well prepared and placed less emphasis on surgical decision-making.

As early-stage lung cancer mortality rates are improving, surgeons and patients can prioritize surgical approaches and postsurgical care that enhance quality of life.