Mapping the Patient Journey of Oral Microbiota Transplantation During Radiotherapy: A Qualitative Study

Patients with head and neck cancer frequently develop severe oral mucositis (OM) during radiotherapy. Oral microbiota transplantation (OMT) has emerged as a promising microbial therapy for the prevention and management of radiation-induced OM. However, the multidimensional experiences of patients undergoing this innovative treatment remain inadequately understood.

A longitudinal qualitative study was conducted in Chinese mainland from July to December 2025. Seventeen patients who underwent oral microbiota transplantation for radiotherapy of head and neck tumors were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews at four time points to explore their diagnostic and therapeutic behaviors, contact points, thoughts, emotions. Using content analysis, we developed a novel visual patient journal map that integrates time and task latitude to illustrate the dynamic care process.

A total of 65 interviews were conducted with 17 patients, generated 52 initial codes, which were integrated into 15 sub-topics. Ultimately integrated as four dynamic nonlinear stages: Pre-OMT, Early-stage OMT, Mid-to-late-stage OMT, Post-OMT.

Patients with head and neck cancer undergoing OMT experience a complex, multidimensional psychosocial adaptation process. This qualitative journey map provides a new patient-centered framework. By identifying unaddressed pain points and unmet needs, this map provides an actionable perspective for designing personalized, nurse-led intervention measures and optimizing the entire treatment and care process of OMT.