Exploring Cutaneous Melanoma Patients’ Experiences with Follow-Up Radiology: A Qualitative Study

TL;DR

This study explores how cutaneous melanoma patients feel while waiting for follow-up diagnostic exams, revealing emotional challenges and suggesting ways to improve care.

Contribution

The study identifies specific emotional themes and proposes actionable strategies to enhance patient care during diagnostic waits.

Findings

Patients experience anxiety and emotional distress while waiting for diagnostic results.

Family support can be both helpful and stressful during the waiting period.

Improved communication and psychological support can enhance patient well-being.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Diagnostic examinations that cutaneous melanoma (CM) patients undergo during follow-up can generate various emotional states related to the possibility of recurrence or disease progression. Understanding the emotions and perceptions of patients during the wait for diagnostic exams is crucial for improving care. This study aims to explore the experiences of CM patients awaiting follow-up diagnostic investigations. Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive inductive, single-center study, structured according to COREQ criteria. The sample of CM patients was recruited at the Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Unit of the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute in Rome. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Framework Analysis, as described by Ritchie and Spencer. Results: A total of 30 patients with an average age of 57.4 were recruited. The interviews revealed the following four themes: waiting influences the emotional experience; the double face of family support; strategies of support during the waiting period; and waiting requires attention to the person and the environment. Conclusions: This study revealed that waiting for a diagnostic exam for cutaneous melanoma (CM) is often characterized by anxiety and worry. Healthcare professionals need to implement positive coping strategies, balanced family support, and improved communication to enhance patient care and satisfaction in oncology settings. Recognizing and addressing patients’ emotional dynamics is crucial for improving care. Training healthcare staff, providing psychological interventions, and leveraging technological innovation can improve the waiting experience, foster a more welcoming and reassuring environment, and enhance patients’ psychological well-being and satisfaction with care pathways.