Perceptions of Japanese and Dutch women with early breast cancer about monitoring their quality of life

Abstract

Objective: Monitoring quality of life (QoL) in patients with cancer can provide insight into functional, psychological and social consequences associated with illness and its treatment. The primary objective of this study is to examine the influence of cultural factors on the communication between the patient and the health care provider and the perceived QoL in women with breast cancer in Japan and the Netherlands. Methods: In Japanese and Dutch women with early breast cancer, the number, content and frequency of QoL-related issues discussed at the medical encounter were studied. Patients completed questionnaires regarding QoL and evaluation of communication with the CareNoteBook. Results: The total number, frequency and content of QoLrelated issues discussed differed between the two countries. Japanese women (n 134) were significantly more reticent in discussing QoL-issues than the Dutch women (n 70) (p < .001).Furthermore, Dutch patients perceived the CareNoteBook methodology significantly more positively than the Japanese patients (p < .001). Both groups supported the regular assessment via a CareNoteBook methodology. Conclusions: Japanese women are more reluctant in expressing their problems with the illness, its treatment and patientphysician communication than Dutch women. KEYWORDSBreast cancer; cross cultural differences; Japan; patient perceptions; quality of life; The Netherlands BackgroundThere is increasing recognition of the importance of patient reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical care and research concerning patients with cancer.