Unmet needs of prostatectomy patients: A qualitative study in Italy

Three focus groups (FGs) were conducted with 16 prostatectomy patients in three Oncological Centers. Most patients expressed the need to receive more information, in particular about treatments’ side effects. They also felt the need for a multidisciplinary approach during the care process and the wish to be treated from a holistic point of view. Patients stressed the importance to be cared after the surgery and receive psychological support. According to the FGs results, three psychoeducational groups interventions divided into 3 sessions were conducted with 16 patients (adherence rate 95.8%). Having received medical information and shared their disease experience with peers were the most cited benefits by patients at the end of the intervention. Psychoeducational groups are low cost intervention, easy to manage and well accepted by prostatectomy patients. In this sense, they may be carried out regularly within the Prostate Cancer Units to met informational and psychological needs of patients.