The key decision moments identified in the cancer patient journey are those where a choice has to be made between two or more options without conclusive medical evidence as to which offers the greatest benefit, e.g. an oncology consultation when deciding whether to undertake preventive treatment.
At present, the factors that influence shared decision-making are the emotional impact of the diagnosis, family dynamics and relationship with the supportive environment, the doctor-patient relationship, access to information and understanding of the information.
It is one of the results of the European project 4D PICTURE, which aims to improve shared decision-making in oncology through person-centred solutions, transforming the care model towards a more humane, comprehensive and adapted to the real needs of patients. In Zaragoza, it is carried out between the Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragon), the Aragon Engineering Research Institute (I3A) of the University of Zaragoza and Fractal.
His work received the Patient Experience Award at the 24th National Congress of Hospitals and Healthcare Management, in recognition of his work in humanising the cancer patient journey, which took place in Zaragoza at the end of May.
The cancer patient experience journey
During the congress, the team presented the oral communication ‘Key moments in the cancer patient experience journey: identification of factors affecting shared decision-making’, which includes these first results of the work carried out at the Miguel Servet University Hospital (HUMS).
The presentation was given by Carlos Romero, one of the founders of Fractal, a service design consultancy and one of the entities participating in the project. In his presentation, he highlighted the critical points in the care trajectory of cancer patients and the factors that influence their ability to actively participate in clinical decision-making.
The project is in the redesign of the Oncology Service. During the first phase, a thorough exploration of the current functioning was carried out. Based on the findings at this stage, they are working with healthcare professionals from the Oncology Service and with patients affected by breast cancer and melanoma, to look for measures that can be implemented in this HUMS service with the aim of improving the patient experience and facilitating more shared decision-making.
In the next steps, the partners of the proyect 4D PICTURE, design and apply the ideas generated in this phase to humanise the oncology day hospital circuit, to test its operation in the real context and adjust it to find viable solutions that can be implemented in the service.
4D PICTURE continues to develop innovative strategies to bring the healthcare system closer to the people, placing their experience and participation at the centre of care.
In order to move forward, they would like to invite any patient with these characteristics who is interested in participating in the patient workshops to contact them via email at: albamedina.miguelservet@gmail.com
Pictures:
Jorge Gracia del Río, Maxim Ionov, Jorge Sierra Pérez, Yeray Sañudo Recacha, Laura Aguado González, Alba Medina Castillo, Javier Fernández-Carrión, Victoria Artigas Ortega.
Award: Carlos Romero, Fractal.
