Understanding experiences and improvement needs of Chinese cervical cancer patients with external beam radiotherapy and 3D brachytherapy: A qualitative study using persona-driven journey maps
Cervical cancer patients undergoing 3D external beam radiotherapy plus brachytherapy face significant physical and psychological burdens. This study aimed to explore their experiences across the treatment journey to improve care. Semi-structured interviews and participant observation with 20 Chinese cervical cancer radiotherapy patients gathered data on psychological, behavioral, social support, and needs aspects. Thematic analysis informed the creation of user personas and journey maps. Clinical applicability and accuracy were assessed via questionnaires completed by 60 patients. Patients exhibited substantial physical, psychological, and social needs throughout treatment, with variations across groups and stages. Four distinct treatment stages were defined: initial intervention, external beam radiotherapy, 3D brachytherapy, and long-term follow-up, each with stage-specific and cross-journey needs. Five typical patient profiles were identified and mapped to stage-specific needs. Questionnaire validation confirmed the profiles effectively captured patients' emotional fluctuations and evolving needs across stages. Combining user personas and journey mapping successfully depicted cervical cancer radiotherapy patients' needs and emotional changes across treatment phases, validated for clinical use. This framework provides a basis for personalized interventions to optimize patient experience and outcomes.