Patient-centered Priorities in Prostate Cancer Survivorship Care

To assess patient priorities after prostate cancer treatment to guide patient-centered survivorship clinic design and care delivery.

Adapted, pre-existing validated questionnaires were used to assess survivorship care priorities among prostate cancer survivors at our institution. Participants ranked aspects of follow-up care across 5 domains and identified all items they considered important aspects of prostate cancer survivorship care from 27 listed components. Importance of priorities was determined by ranking frequency of selections and then compared based on treatment modality.

Of 362 responders, 259 (71.5%) had surgery and 103 (28.5%) had radiation. Survivors prioritized screening for recurrence and additional malignancies, general health screening, management of urinary and sexual side effects, and receiving care through an integrated health system. They also appreciated being well-informed about tests being conducted, as well as understanding the benefits and potential side effects of treatments before making decisions. More surgery patients felt management of sexual side effects was important, and more radiation patients valued management of bowel side effects and clinic accessibility. Less frequently prioritized components included support groups, minimizing time away from other responsibilities, and smoking cessation counseling.

Patient-centered research in prostate cancer survivorship helps tailor care to patient priorities, which may vary based on treatment modality. Incorporating patient priorities into clinic design may boost satisfaction, participation, and quality of life while reducing the burdens of survivorship after treatment.