Table 6 Summary of thematic differences and similarities
Themes | Subthemes | Differences/ similarities | Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) | Stockholm3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Information affects the experience of comprehension | Initial introduction | Differences | Several patients reported that they had no initial information before the PSA test. Patients with several previous PSA tests often expressed that they had received sufficient information from their GP | All patientss reported that they had received some initial information before the Stockholm3 test |
Men’s perception of the diagnostic test | Differences | Patients explained that an elevated PSA was not always to be trusted. Besides prostate cancer, an elevated PSA could be a sign of infection or an enlarged prostate gland | In general, patients perceived the Stockholm3 test as a more accurate test. It was described as a medical progress | |
Receiving the test result | Differences | For some patients, the elevated PSA level came as a shock because they were unaware of the test in the first place | Patients were aware of the Stockholm3 test and were prepared to receive the test result | |
Similarities | The information patients received varied from being informed about a referral for further diagnostic evaluation to more comprehensive information | |||
2. Stepping into the world of the healthcare system | Trying to keep track of the diagnostic process | Differences | Patients were more inclined to report errors and delayed responses from the hospital | Overall, men were satisfied with the communication with the hospital. However, they did report some errors and delayed responses Some men believed that the fast and well organized diagnostic process was because they had agreed to the Stockholm3 test |
Similarities | In general, patients described the diagnostic phase of prostate cancer as well organized and fast, without too much unnecessary waiting. Not all patients identified the fast process as a part of the standardized care pathway, which made some patients worry about being seriously ill | |||
Receiving information and care at the urological outpatient clinic | Similarities | Most patients described the healthcare providers as professional and caring. However, patients had very different needs for information; some required more detailed written and oral information both before and after the biopsy. The healthcare providers did not always identify these needs | ||
3. Periodically feelings of distress | Similarities | Patients did not experience pervasive anxiety. However, most men described times with worries or anxiety. The word “cancer” was associated with death. For some, anxiety became more prominent when the results of the biopsy approached. Others described both physical and psychological discomfort. It seemed that some patients found it difficult to explain or identify their different emotions during the diagnostic phase of prostate cancer | ||