The influence of contextual factors on patient involvement during follow-up consultations after colorectal cancer surgery: a case study

Aims and objectives: To identify the contextual factors that influence individual patient involvement during colorectal cancer surgical follow-up consultations. Background: The healthcare system is subject to the requirement and expectation of greater involvement of patients and relatives. Increased patient involvement requires the development and implementation of new communication initiatives. Research shows that it is also necessary to consider the contextual circumstances surrounding patient involvement in specific situations. Design: Case study of a single Danish outpatient clinic, which allows the issues and circumstances involved in an everyday situation to be captured. Method: 12 nonparticipative observations of outpatient visits and, subsequently, seven in-depth patient interviews. Analysis: Content analysis based on a dialogical, interactive framework, which underpinned the identification of current contextual factors. Results: The results showed five contextual factors that seemed to have an impact on patient involvement. The first, ‘Two dimensions of patient involvement: treatment-oriented and person-oriented’ highlighted a dual interpretation of patient involvement in the consultation situation. The two dimensions seemed to be influenced by four additional factors: ‘Doctors leading the agenda’, ‘Traditional health professional roles’, ‘Unclear responsibilities’ and ‘Guidance primarily focused on treatment’. Conclusion: The results showed how patient involvement in clinical practice could be understood as a two-way movement, in which patients are invited to participate in clinical practice, while health professionals are invited to participate in the patients’ lives. The movement will change from situation to situation and is influenced by several contextual factors. Relevance to clinical practice: The results can help doctors and nurses to navigate using a goal-oriented approach towards patient involvement. The study makes visible the need for research-based development of the independent role of the nursing profession in cancer care follow-up, with a view to enhanced patient-centred care.