WCLC 2025 - Posters & ePosters-P2.15 .02 Communication Needs of Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer Receiving Immunotherapy: Results of a Qualitative Study

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This qualitative study explores the communication needs of patients with advanced (stage IV) lung cancer undergoing immunotherapy, conducted through semi-structured interviews with 20 patients at Heidelberg University Hospital, Germany. Key findings reveal patients possess limited and often inaccurate knowledge about immunotherapy, usually holding a positive yet vague impression that it offers health benefits and hope. While patients generally recalled the informed consent process, their active participation in medical decision-making was minimal, often resulting in uncritical acceptance of treatment recommendations. The predominant decision-making style observed was paternalistic, with many patients deferring decisions to their physicians; some described shared decision-making involving relatives, while a few preferred to decide independently.<br /><br />Patient education challenges include feelings of being overwhelmed by complex information, leading to reduced information processing capacity. Prognostic awareness varied: while many understood overall goals, hopes for life extension often overshadowed realistic expectations. Patients prioritized quality of life, symptom relief, and maintaining autonomy, yet perceptions of palliative care were frequently negative or linked with imminent death, indicating misunderstandings and barriers to early integration.<br /><br />Regarding information sources, medical staff were primary, while web-based and digital sources were generally viewed skeptically—especially digital tools like smartphone apps—reflecting potential age-related reluctance. Patients emphasized the need for personalized, simple, user-friendly digital solutions (e.g., videos over text) to support information delivery and decision-making.<br /><br />The study concludes that rapid advances in cancer therapies require flexible, patient-centered communication strategies to bridge knowledge gaps and empower patients. Developing digital decision-support tools tailored to elderly patients' diverse needs can enhance engagement and informed decision-making, ultimately improving care quality for this vulnerable population. Future research should focus on integrating such tools effectively, addressing the unique challenges faced by advanced lung cancer patients receiving immunotherapy.

Asset Subtitle

Matthias Villalobos

Meta Tag

Speaker Matthias Villalobos

Topic Multidisciplinary Care: Nursing, Allied Health and Palliative Care

Keywords

advanced lung cancer

immunotherapy

patient communication needs

informed consent

medical decision-making

patient education challenges

prognostic awareness

palliative care perceptions

digital health tools

patient-centered communication