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Abstract
Meeting the complex needs of patients with high-grade glioma requires multidisciplinary input. How best to provide care after initial treatment ends is contentious. This study explored the experiences of patients and staff at one UK centre where regular multidisciplinary clinics and brain scanning is provided. In-depth interviews conducted with 10 patients and six staff were transcribed and analysed qualitatively. Patients reported: supportive, individualised care with familiar staff; good communication; that regular scanning was reassuring. Staff believed that team follow-up facilitated immediate decision-making and referral, and reduced visits. They felt that patients value seeing their scans. Patients and staff described positive and negative experiences of multidisciplinary follow-up. There is need to investigate the impact of different approaches to ongoing care.
Acknowledgements
We thank the patients and staff who participated. Dr. Rachel Cane conducted the staff interviews. The transcripts were read and coded by Ms. Deborah Horney and the author SC. Cancer Research UK funded this work.
Notes
1. A single-handed clinic is where one clinician is responsible for consulting with the patient.
2. A hub and spoke clinic has a senior clinician stationed in a room, the hub, overseeing a team of other clinicians who consult with the patients. Case review takes place in the hub and the senior clinician can join consultations as necessary.