CN50 Let’s talk about bowel problems: The needs of rectal cancer survivors towards the healthcare professional

More sphincter saving procedures are being performed for rectal cancer. The majority of patients expects to resume life as from before diagnosis, but the reality turns out to be different when they are confronted with the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). This is characterized by frequent toilet visits, clustering, urgency, and incontinence. Patients are unsure what to expect after treatment. Healthcare professionals seem to underestimate the impact of LARS on patients’ lives. The aim of our study was to get insight in the needs of patients with major LARS. A multi-centre qualitative study with a grounded theory approach was conducted. Patients were recruited through purposive sampling and later through theoretical sampling. Individual semi-structured interviews with patients confronted with major LARS were performed. Data-analysis was done by the constant comparative method using NVIVO (QRS international, v12) and investigators’ triangulation was applied during analysis. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. A total of 28 patients was interviewed until data saturation. Before surgery patients’ need for information varied according to their individual coping mechanisms. Some patients required information before surgery to set their expectations, whilst others considered this too overwhelming because of the large amount of information about their treatment trajectory. Counseling afterwards, however, was crucial for patients who did not prefer to receive information beforehand. When confronted with LARS, patients desired that healthcare professionals clarified the expected evolution of their symptoms and to recognize the impact of LARS . Additionally, patients expressed the wish for proactive counselling with an easy accessible and approachable healthcare professional. Patients expressed several needs regarding the care for their bowel problems. It is vital that healthcare professionals have good knowledge of LARS and the challenges that patients can face, as they have an important role in informing and counseling the patients.