Patients’ Experiences in a Newly Established Clinic for Late Complications after Colorectal and Anal Cancer Treatment: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Purpose. Treatment of late complications is not systematically provided in Denmark. We therefore established a clinic to treat patients’ late complications. With this study, we wanted to explore patients’ experiences with treatment and care in such a clinic, including their recommendations for the future organization and structure of the clinic. Methods. We conducted a qualitative semistructured interview study with 14 patients who had attended a late complication clinic after treatment for colorectal or anal cancer. We used a descriptive approach to describe the patients’ experiences. Results. We found four major categories: (1) benefitting from the late complication clinic, (2) confusion about which clinic they attended, (3) recommendations for the future of the clinic, and (4) preparation and delivery of the consultations. Patients benefitted from attending the late complication clinic, and some experienced complete relief from symptoms. Others did not, but they gained hope that they might be able to receive treatment in the future. Patients wished for more information about late complications, preferring that the most common symptoms were described along with patient-friendly treatment options. The patients were satisfied with telephone consultations, as they were easy to fit into a daily schedule, and patients found it easy to express themselves openly. Conclusions. Patients were satisfied with the late complication clinic as they felt it gave them a safety net. For the future, patients recommended provision of more information about late complications and possible treatments.