Incorporating the Patient Voice into Attribute and Level Selection for a Preference Study: A Qualitative Study in...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Patient-Reported Outcomes
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Current standard of care for high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (HR-NMIBC) involves Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) post-transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT).
• Emerging therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in combination with BCG, offer new treatment avenues for HR-NMIBC patients.
• Patient preference studies are vital for understanding trade-offs in current and emerging treatments, informing patient-centered care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elicit treatment priorities from patients with HR-NMIBC.
• To evaluate a preliminary list of attributes and levels for a patient preference survey.
• To gather qualitative insights into decision-making drivers for HR-NMIBC treatments.

Main Methods:

• A targeted literature review identified an initial list of 11 treatment attributes.
• Semi-structured, multi-method telephone interviews were conducted with 12 HR-NMIBC patients in the USA.
• Concept elicitation, cognitive debriefing, and rating/ranking exercises assessed patient priorities and perspectives on treatment attributes.

Main Results:

• Treatment efficacy, specifically event-free survival, was the most significant attribute for all patients.
• The risk of serious or life-threatening events was also a highly important consideration for patients.
• Bladder-related issues and administration preferences (route, frequency) were key factors in treatment choices.

Conclusions:

• This study provides novel qualitative data on patient preferences for future HR-NMIBC treatments.
• Findings will guide the selection and framing of attributes for an upcoming benefit-risk preference study.
• Further research is needed to quantify patient trade-offs regarding treatment administration, benefits, and risks.