Practical Approaches to Patient-Centered Care in Europe: Mixed Methods Study Developing a Conceptual Framework for Comprehensive Cancer Care Networks

BackgroundIn contemporary health care, patient-centered care has emerged as a pivotal paradigm shift that redefines the traditional physician-centric model. Particularly in the context of cancer care, marked by its intricate nature and emotional impact, there is a pressing re...

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Main Authors: Emily Hickmann, Peggy Richter, Hannes Schlieter, Maja Cemazar, Dorota Dudek-Godeau, Nele Grapentin, Ellen Griesshammer, Marjetka Jelenc, Sigita Liutkauskiene, Alain Ravaud, Xavier Troussard, Simone Wesselmann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2025-07-01
Series:JMIR Cancer
Online Access:https://cancer.jmir.org/2025/1/e59683
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author Emily Hickmann
Peggy Richter
Hannes Schlieter
Maja Cemazar
Dorota Dudek-Godeau
Nele Grapentin
Ellen Griesshammer
Marjetka Jelenc
Sigita Liutkauskiene
Alain Ravaud
Xavier Troussard
Simone Wesselmann
author_facet Emily Hickmann
Peggy Richter
Hannes Schlieter
Maja Cemazar
Dorota Dudek-Godeau
Nele Grapentin
Ellen Griesshammer
Marjetka Jelenc
Sigita Liutkauskiene
Alain Ravaud
Xavier Troussard
Simone Wesselmann
author_sort Emily Hickmann
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundIn contemporary health care, patient-centered care has emerged as a pivotal paradigm shift that redefines the traditional physician-centric model. Particularly in the context of cancer care, marked by its intricate nature and emotional impact, there is a pressing requirement to rethink how health care is delivered. In this context, comprehensive cancer care networks (CCCNs) provide a new means of structuring and delivering quality cancer care, recognizing each patient’s unique preferences and needs. ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish a consistent definition and framework for patient centeredness in CCCNs, facilitating the integration of a patient-centered approach to enhance care quality. MethodsWe conducted an umbrella review focusing on generic and oncology-specific dimensions of patient centeredness to establish the definition and framework. The data were analyzed and synthesized using an inductive category development approach, which guided the derivation of dimensions for the framework. The review was complemented by a survey of 23 key stakeholders within CCCNs and a focus group with patient representatives. This process involved iterative group discussions to achieve consensus on the framework and definition. ResultsThe study presents a robust definition and framework of patient centeredness tailored to CCCNs, validated by an initial agreement rate of 96% among survey respondents. Patient centeredness in a CCCN is defined as a philosophy of care prioritizing the physical, emotional, and social needs and personal values of patients with cancer at every step of the patient pathway. In patient-centered CCCNs, patients are empowered and engaged in becoming active partners in health care in relation to their individual preferences and capabilities, with the goal of providing personalized, high-quality, holistic care with the best possible outcomes. The framework comprises 8 primary dimensions: empowering patients, engaging and involving patients, treating the patient as a unique person, enhancing the therapeutic relationship, enhancing a patient-centered culture, providing holistic care, recognizing and supporting the health care professional as a person, and coordinating care. Each dimension is supported by specific subdimensions and actionable patient-centered activities that facilitate practical implementation. ConclusionsThe results provide a comprehensive perspective on the complex elements that compose patient-centered care within CCCNs in Europe. This contributes to a better understanding and application of patient centeredness in cancer care and possibly other contexts. The results presented in this paper promise to support cancer care networks and other health care contexts in creating a patient-centered environment where patients feel genuinely heard, valued, and actively engaged in their care decisions.
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spelling doaj-art-15fb2d5cbc6740459d760f3b9b03ac172025-08-20T02:47:29ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Cancer2369-19992025-07-0111e5968310.2196/59683Practical Approaches to Patient-Centered Care in Europe: Mixed Methods Study Developing a Conceptual Framework for Comprehensive Cancer Care NetworksEmily Hickmannhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5300-9661Peggy Richterhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-6019-7840Hannes Schlieterhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-6513-9017Maja Cemazarhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1418-1928Dorota Dudek-Godeauhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3815-246XNele Grapentinhttps://orcid.org/0009-0007-0701-5044Ellen Griesshammerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2022-4530Marjetka Jelenchttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0515-1970Sigita Liutkauskienehttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4142-3136Alain Ravaudhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9455-6744Xavier Troussardhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6863-9992Simone Wesselmannhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8937-9384 BackgroundIn contemporary health care, patient-centered care has emerged as a pivotal paradigm shift that redefines the traditional physician-centric model. Particularly in the context of cancer care, marked by its intricate nature and emotional impact, there is a pressing requirement to rethink how health care is delivered. In this context, comprehensive cancer care networks (CCCNs) provide a new means of structuring and delivering quality cancer care, recognizing each patient’s unique preferences and needs. ObjectiveThis study aimed to establish a consistent definition and framework for patient centeredness in CCCNs, facilitating the integration of a patient-centered approach to enhance care quality. MethodsWe conducted an umbrella review focusing on generic and oncology-specific dimensions of patient centeredness to establish the definition and framework. The data were analyzed and synthesized using an inductive category development approach, which guided the derivation of dimensions for the framework. The review was complemented by a survey of 23 key stakeholders within CCCNs and a focus group with patient representatives. This process involved iterative group discussions to achieve consensus on the framework and definition. ResultsThe study presents a robust definition and framework of patient centeredness tailored to CCCNs, validated by an initial agreement rate of 96% among survey respondents. Patient centeredness in a CCCN is defined as a philosophy of care prioritizing the physical, emotional, and social needs and personal values of patients with cancer at every step of the patient pathway. In patient-centered CCCNs, patients are empowered and engaged in becoming active partners in health care in relation to their individual preferences and capabilities, with the goal of providing personalized, high-quality, holistic care with the best possible outcomes. The framework comprises 8 primary dimensions: empowering patients, engaging and involving patients, treating the patient as a unique person, enhancing the therapeutic relationship, enhancing a patient-centered culture, providing holistic care, recognizing and supporting the health care professional as a person, and coordinating care. Each dimension is supported by specific subdimensions and actionable patient-centered activities that facilitate practical implementation. ConclusionsThe results provide a comprehensive perspective on the complex elements that compose patient-centered care within CCCNs in Europe. This contributes to a better understanding and application of patient centeredness in cancer care and possibly other contexts. The results presented in this paper promise to support cancer care networks and other health care contexts in creating a patient-centered environment where patients feel genuinely heard, valued, and actively engaged in their care decisions.https://cancer.jmir.org/2025/1/e59683
spellingShingle Emily Hickmann
Peggy Richter
Hannes Schlieter
Maja Cemazar
Dorota Dudek-Godeau
Nele Grapentin
Ellen Griesshammer
Marjetka Jelenc
Sigita Liutkauskiene
Alain Ravaud
Xavier Troussard
Simone Wesselmann
Practical Approaches to Patient-Centered Care in Europe: Mixed Methods Study Developing a Conceptual Framework for Comprehensive Cancer Care Networks
JMIR Cancer
title Practical Approaches to Patient-Centered Care in Europe: Mixed Methods Study Developing a Conceptual Framework for Comprehensive Cancer Care Networks
title_full Practical Approaches to Patient-Centered Care in Europe: Mixed Methods Study Developing a Conceptual Framework for Comprehensive Cancer Care Networks
title_fullStr Practical Approaches to Patient-Centered Care in Europe: Mixed Methods Study Developing a Conceptual Framework for Comprehensive Cancer Care Networks
title_full_unstemmed Practical Approaches to Patient-Centered Care in Europe: Mixed Methods Study Developing a Conceptual Framework for Comprehensive Cancer Care Networks
title_short Practical Approaches to Patient-Centered Care in Europe: Mixed Methods Study Developing a Conceptual Framework for Comprehensive Cancer Care Networks
title_sort practical approaches to patient centered care in europe mixed methods study developing a conceptual framework for comprehensive cancer care networks
url https://cancer.jmir.org/2025/1/e59683
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