Talking about human papillomavirus and cancer: protocol for a patient-centred study to develop scripted consultations

Abstract

IntroductionPersistent infection with sexually transmitted, high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types is the cause of all cervical cancers and some anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. HPV is an extremely common asymptomatic infection but little known and poorly understood by the public. Patients with HPV-related cancers have new and challenging information needs due to the complex natural history of HPV and the stigma of sexual transmission. They may ask questions that are outside the remit of the traditional cancer consultation, and there is a lack of guidance on how to counsel them. This study aims to fulfil that need by developing and testing cancer site-specific scripted consultations.Methods and analysisA synthesis of findings generated from previous work, a systematic review of information-based interventions for patients with HPV-related cancers, and interviews with cancer clinicians will provide the evidence base underpinning provisional messages. These will be explored in three phases of face-to-face interviews with 75–90 purposively selected patients recruited in cancer clinics to: (1) select and prioritise the most salient messages, (2) phrase the messages appropriately in plain English and, (3) test their acceptability and usefulness. Phases 1 and 2 will draw on card-sorting methods used in website design. In phase three, we will create cancer site-specific versions of the script and test them using cognitive interviewing techniques.Ethics and disseminationThe study has received ethical approval. Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The final product will be cancer-specific scripted consultations, most likely in the form of a two-sided information sheet with the most important messages to be conveyed in a consultation on one side, and frequently asked questions for later reading on the reverse. However, they will also be appropriate and readily adaptable to web-based uses.

Symptom burden as a driver of decisional regret in long‐term oropharyngeal carcinoma survivors

“…As many clinicians can attest, guiding a nonsmoking, physically active 50‐year‐old with low‐volume, HPV‐associated OPC through the treatment decision‐making process is increasingly complex . In the scenario in which various curative treatment options exist and functional outcomes are prioritized, decisional conflict can arise with the potential for decisional regret among survivors .…”

Talking about human papillomavirus and cancer: development of consultation guides through lay and professional stakeholder coproduction using qualitative, quantitative and secondary data

“…The methods for this study are described in detail in a protocol paper published during the data collection period 20 and a schematic overview is presented in figure 1 . In brief, consultation guides were developed in two stages and tested in a third.…”

The changing landscape of cervical screening-What does the future hold for primary care?

“…There is therefore an urgent need to ensure that primary care staff are adequately trained to communicate with women about these changes, as previous research has shown that discussions about HPV can be seen as a “can of worms” (McSherry et al., ). One approach is the development of scripted consultations to help clinicians in these conversations (Hendry et al., ).…”

“…One approach is the development of scripted consultations to help clinicians in these conversations (Hendry et al, 2016).…”