Head and neck cancer patient experience of a new dietitian-delivered health behaviour intervention: 'you know you have to eat to survive'

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore head and neck cancer (HNC) patient experiences of a novel dietitian delivered health behaviour intervention. Methods: This study is a qualitative study which employed semi-structured individual interviews using open and axial coding and then final selective coding to organise the data. Patients with HNC who had participated in a dietitian delivered health behaviour intervention to reduce malnutrition were invited to discuss their experience of this intervention. Individual interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed using grounded theory. Results: Nine patients participated in the interviews. Four dimensions were identified in the initial coding process: ‘information’, which described patients’ desire for tailored advice during their treatment; ‘challenges of treatment experience’, which described the difficulties related to treatment side effects; ‘key messages: importance of eating and maintaining weight’, which covered perceived integral messages delivered to patients by dietitians; and ‘dietitian’s approach’ describing patient experiences of empathic and compassionate dietitians. Two overarching themes resulted from examining the connections and relationships between these dimensions: ‘survival’, a connection between eating and living; and ‘support’, describing the valued working partnership between dietitian and patient. Conclusions: Dimensions and themes overlapped with the qualitative literature on HNC patient experience of treatment. However, some themes, such as the empowerment of a message linking eating to survival, appeared unique to this study. Patients found this message to be delivered in a supportive manner that motivated change.