Patients' experiences of a standardized care pathway for suspected bladder cancer due to macroscopic hematuria

To explore patients' experiences navigating the Standardized Care Pathway (SCP) for macroscopic hematuria through semi-structured interviews.

An interview study was conducted to explore patients' experiences of SCP for macroscopic hematuria. The study employed content analysis with an inductive approach, as described by Lundman and Graneheim, to explore both explicit and implicit patterns in the data. Informants were recruited from an outpatient clinic for investigation of macroscopic hematuria, with interview questions derived from literature and clinical experience. Researchers immersed themselves in the data through repeated readings of transcripts, identifying meaning units that were coded and analyzed to develop subcategories reflecting similarities and differences.

Twelve patients, with a median age of 71 years (58% women), participated in the study. Among them, one was diagnosed with urinary bladder cancer (UBC). The findings highlight a mix of appreciation and questioning associated with the SCP process, as patients valued the efficiency of one stop policy for testing but also experienced heightened anxiety. A lack of detailed and patient-centred communication emerged as a key issue, with primary care centers providing insufficient information.

Although SCP is effective, it prompts consideration of whether it is suitable for all patients. A more individually tailored approach might be more appropriate, prioritizing rapid evaluation for those with a high likelihood of cancer while directing others to a standard diagnostic route. Continuing the one-stop policy was seen as beneficial.