Poster Presentation Cancer Survivorship Conference 2023

Cancer survivor preferences for models of breast cancer follow-up care: Findings from a discrete choice experiment (#109)

Fiona Crawford-Williams 1 2 , Sanjeewa Kularatna 2 , Ruvini M Hettiarachchi 2 , Michelle Allen 2 , Sameera J Senanayake 2 , David Brain 2 , Nicolas H Hart 1 3 4 , Bogda Koczwara 5 6 , Carolyn Ee 1 7 , Raymond J Chan 1 2
  1. College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Caring Futures Institute, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
  2. Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia
  3. School of Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. Exercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  5. Department of Medical Oncology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park , South Australia, Australia
  6. Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
  7. NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Purpose:

It is critical to evaluate cancer survivors’ preferences when developing follow-up care models to better address the needs of cancer survivors and achieve quality survivorship care. The discrete choice experiment (DCE) method has been used widely to elicit preferences for different aspects of healthcare. This study was conducted to understand the key attributes of breast cancer follow-up care models from the perspective of cancer survivors. 

 Methods:

A six-stage framework guided this study involving a literature review, focus groups, prioritisation survey, expert panel discussion, generation of choice sets and pilot testing, and conducting the DCE survey. Focus group discussions were conducted with clinicians and breast cancer survivors to inform preliminary attribute development. Attributes were then prioritised using an online survey and refined with an expert panel discussion. The included attributes and levels were pilot tested with 30 participants before the final DCE survey was sent to 1305 breast cancer survivors. 

 Results:

Four focus groups were held which generated sixteen attributes deemed important for breast cancer follow-up care models. The prioritisation exercise was conducted with 20 participants followed by expert panel discussion to select the attributes for use in the DCE. The final five attributes included: the care team, allied health and supportive care, survivorship care planning, travel for appointments, and out-of-pocket costs. Choice sets were generated from these attributes, each with 2-3 levels, and pilot tested with 30 cancer survivors. 250-300 cancer survivors are expected to complete the final DCE survey and results will be presented at the conference. 

 Conclusions:

This study identified cancer survivors’ preferences for breast cancer follow-up care. This information can strengthen the design and implementation of follow-up care programs that best suit the needs and expectations of breast cancer survivors. The results of this DCE can be used to guide policymakers in future health service planning.