Prostate cancer patient experience of prehabilitation prior to radical prostatectomy – A hermeneutical phenomenological study

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to explore patient experience of participating in a multimodal prehabilitation program prior to nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy (RP).

Methods

We used an exploratory hermeneutical phenomenological approach where qualitative interview data were analysed, building on the theory of Paul Ricoeur. Six weeks after surgery, we interviewed eight patients that had been recruited for a randomised controlled feasibility study of a multimodal prehabilitation program prior to a nerve sparing RP.

Results

Prehabilitation offered patients a chance to actively contribute to their own well-being. Beliefs about its benefits evolved as the patients progressed through the prehabilitation period, indicating that their own experiences gave a broader understanding of potential benefits. Crucially, the findings highlighted the necessity of tailoring prehabilitation programs to individual needs. For patients to fully engage with the program, it was essential that it adapted to their unique circumstances rather than expecting them to conform to a standardized approach.

Conclusion

Personalizing prehabilitation interventions for prostate cancer patients prior to RP requires active patient engagement and recognition of their desire for autonomy and control in their treatment. Integrating prehabilitation with perioperative care may present an opportunity to improve long-term outcomes and support patient-centered care.