Involving patients and nurses in choosing between two validated questionnaires to identify chemotherapy-induced...

To explore from a nurse and patient perspective what questionnaire-"Functional assessment of cancer treatment gynecological group neurotoxicity" or "Oxaliplatin-Associated Neuropathy Questionnaire"-best describes chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and its influence on everyday life in a comprehensive and meaningful way, prior to implementation in daily practice.

Patients experience chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy during and after chemotherapy for colorectal cancer with oxaliplatin. This neuropathy is difficult to describe for patients and to identify for nurses. To address the specific needs of patients and improve identification of neuropathy and its influence on everyday life, we wanted to implement a questionnaire in clinical practice.

A phenomenological hermeneutic frame of reference was used.

Semi-structured interviews with 15 patients and two focus groups with eight cancer nurses were used for data collection. Data were organised and interpreted by content analytical steps in a hermeneutical process. COREQ checklist was used in reporting of the study.

The analysis resulted in two main themes (a) "To dig deeper" with sub-themes "to identify the line between acceptable and nonacceptable chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy," and "searching for a precise description." (b). "When everything is interrelated" with sub-themes "to be aware of different perspectives and understandings" and "recognise potential pitfalls."

Involving patients and nurses in choosing between the two questionnaires revealed that neither alone was sufficient to describe the patients' experiences. Instead, it seems essential to implement both questionnaires, using the answers as a basis for a dialogue to address the patients' specific needs.

Using patients and nurses perspectives in a complementary way may provide a solid foundation before starting an implementation process in clinical practice. However, attention must be paid to potential barriers and facilitators as well as the fact that a successful implementing process requires leadership and information sharing.