Building Enhanced Outcomes to Support Patients with Cancer: A Constructivist Grounded Theory of Oncology Healthcare Provider Experiences Working Within Canadian Urgent Cancer Clinics

Abstract

Patients with acute cancer symptoms (e.g., fevers, gastrointestinal disturbances, or uncontrolled pain) from ambulatory cancer centres predominantly rely on emergency departments (EDs) for assessment and treatment. However, this model of care is no longer sustainable and emphasizes healthcare system inefficiencies. The advent of urgent cancer clinics (UCCs) allows patients to have these symptoms treated by oncology experts within ambulatory cancer centres. Unfortunately, limited research on UCCs both operationally and experientially makes it difficult for others to adopt this new model of care. A constructivist grounded theory study was conducted to explore the processes and experiences of oncology healthcare providers (i.e., registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians) in managing outpatient acute cancer symptoms within Canadian UCCs. Ten participants were recruited and interviewed from four Canadian UCCs. Grounded theory coding allowed categories to naturally emerge from the data and led to the co-construction of a substantive theory - Building Enhanced Outcomes to Support Patients with Cancer. This theory is comprised of three major categories and eight subcategories all working towards a common goal, the core category of Building Enhanced Outcomes. Findings from this study offer many new insights and practice implications related to managing outpatient acute cancer symptoms both within specialized UCCs and generalized ambulatory cancer centres.