Disease Experience of Patients With Differentiated Thyroid Cancer at Different Phases Based on Timing It Right Framework: A Qualitative Longitudinal Study.

Background: As the incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) continues to rise globally, it is important to gain insight into the disease experience of cancer patients at different phases of the disease. However, surveys addressing the longitudinal disease experience and specific needs of this population are lacking.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the disease experience of people with DTC at key time points in their cancer trajectory so support can be rendered for "patient-centered" supportive care services.

Methods: On the basis of the Timing It Right framework, a semistructured in-depth interview was conducted with 14 patients with DTC at 5 key phases from initial diagnosis to 6 months postoperatively, and data were analyzed using the Colaizzi 7-step analysis.

Results: The themes of disease experience at different phases were as follows: (1) diagnostic phase: differences in acceptance; (2) perioperative phase: physical and mental distress; (3) discharge preparation phase: anxiety and helplessness, and gap of disease knowledge; (4) discharge adjustment phase: fear of recurrence and proactive health; and (5) discharge adaptation phase: multiple needs.

Conclusion: The experience, care needs, and nature of the needs of patients with DTC change dynamically with the different phases of the disease. Capturing the most appropriate time throughout the continuum of care to implement supportive care that patients need most will help to improve the continuity and precision of cancer care.

Implications for practice: Healthcare providers should provide a continuum of dynamic care by scientifically and systematically assessing the actual supportive care needs of patients with DTC according to their different phases of disease.