Choosing treatment for localised prostate cancer: A patient-conducted-interview study

Objectives: Treatment choice can be particularly difficult in localised prostate cancer because of the uncertainty involved. Indeed, some men prefer maintaining their masculine identity and quality of life to potentially securing longer-term survival through surgery or radiotherapy. UK health services are now obliged to leave the choice of treatment to the patient and the aim of this study is to improve understanding of patients’ experiences of choosing treatment. Methods: A one-day participative workshop where men of six months post-diagnosis design and conduct audio and video interviews on each other about their experiences of choosing treatment. Results: The findings show that treatment choice is a complex process combining emotional and rational elements. Information gathering and delegation to professional expertise were two key themes that emerged. Conclusions: The findings emphasise that treatment choice for localised prostate cancer is little like the traditional notions of consumerism from which it is derived. Importantly, the results illustrate, from a patient perspective, how health professionals can engage in their roles as information providers and as experts

The role of willpower in successful maintenance of weight loss

Willpower – the ability to resist temptation – is an important key to successful functioning and willpower failure may lead to various health problems including obesity. The present qualitative study examined the role of willpower in successful maintenance of weight loss and in-depth interviews were carried out with 13 men and women who were classified as successful weight loss maintainers. The data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The participants described their experiences in terms of six broad themes: their weight histories; the use of willpower to maintain weight loss; the factors that deplete willpower; the factors that increase willpower; how willpower had been strenghtened over the maintenance period; the differences when employing willpower during weight loss and maintenance. The results suggest that willpower has a major role to play in maintenance of weight loss and health professionals could increase the effectiveness of weight management interventions through willpower enhancement

The role of willpower in successful maintenance of weight loss

Willpower – the ability to resist temptation – is an important key to successful functioning and willpower failure may lead to various health problems including obesity. The present qualitative study examined the role of willpower in successful maintenance of weight loss and in-depth interviews were carried out with 13 men and women who were classified as successful weight loss maintainers. The data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The participants described their experiences in terms of six broad themes: their weight histories; the use of willpower to maintain weight loss; the factors that deplete willpower; the factors that increase willpower; how willpower had been strenghtened over the maintenance period; the differences when employing willpower during weight loss and maintenance. The results suggest that willpower has a major role to play in maintenance of weight loss and health professionals could increase the effectiveness of weight management interventions through willpower enhancement