Colorectal cancer in Taiwan: A case-control retrospective analysis of the impact of a case management programme on refusal and discontinuation of treatment.

AIMS

The purposes of this study were to identify the impact of a case management programme on the related factors of refusing treatment or discontinuing treatment in Taiwanese colorectal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND

Side effects of anti-cancer treatments are associated with refusing treatment and discontinuing treatment.

DESIGN

This case-control study, longitudinal database and secondary analysis of population-based data was conducted from 2009-2012.

METHODS

Logistic regression was used to reveal the factors related to refusing or discontinuing treatment.

RESULTS

Of the 68 patients who refused treatment, the top reasons for refusing treatment were patients or their family considered the patients poor physical condition, difficulty in enduring any condition likely to cause physical discomfort from the disease treatment, selected complementary and alternative medicine, patients or their families or friends experienced negative treatment effects and worried about the side effects of treatment, older age, poor family support and lost contact. Of the 278 patients who discontinued treatment, the most common reasons for discontinuing treatment were patients or their families or friends experienced negative treatment effects and worried about the side effects of treatment, inconvenient transportation, patients or their family considered the patients poor physical condition, difficulty in enduring any condition likely to cause physical discomfort from the disease treatment, poor treatment effect and selected complementary and alternative medicine.

CONCLUSION

Case managers can provide positive communication and available resources in relation to cancer treatment. A case management programme can help patients cope with the difficulties encountered during the treatment period.