Patient, caregiver and physician perspectives on participating in a thoracic rapid tissue donation program

Abstract

Objective: The collection of posthumous tissue from advanced stage lung cancer patients is beneficial to medical science. Recruiting living patients to a Rapid Tissue Donation Program (RTD) poses several psychosocial challenges and little is known about perceptions of joining this type of program. This study qualitatively examined perceptions of advanced stage lung cancer patients (n=14) participating in a lung cancer RTD program, their NoK (n=11), and physicians (n=6) at the Thoracic Oncology Clinic at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida USA.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants and interview transcripts were analyzed using the constant comparison method.

Results: Majority of patients joined to give back to research, discussed participation with family members, and desired for family to receive information about the use of the tissue after their death. All participating NoK were supportive of their family member's decision. Physicians described the program as running smoothly, but provided suggestions for process improvements.

Conclusion: Participants joined with intention to give back to research community and families were supportive of loved one's participation in RTD. Physicians agreed with overall process.

Practice implications: Key factors for a successful RTD program is tailoring to institutional and individual needs.

Keywords: Cancer; Ethics; Patient recruitment; Qualitative; Rapid autopsy; Rapid tissue donation.