• Caoimhe Ryan, Hannah Hesselgreaves, Olivia Wu, Jonathan Moss, James Paul, Judith Dixon-Hughes, and Evi Germeni.
• School of Social Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
• BMJ Open. 2019 Jul 9; 9 (7): e026077.

ObjectiveThree types of central venous access devices (CVADs) are routinely used in the delivery of intravenous systemic anticancer therapy (SACT): peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), subcutaneously tunnelled central catheters (Hickman-type devices) and totally implantable chest wall ports (Ports). This qualitative study, nested within a multicentre, randomised controlled trial, sought to explore patient acceptability and experiences of the three devices.DesignEight focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.SettingSix outpatient cancer treatment centres in the UK.ParticipantsForty-two patients (20 female, mean age 61.7 years) who had taken part or were taking part in the broader trial.InterventionAs part of the larger, randomised controlled trial, participants had been randomly assigned one of three CVADs for the administration of SACT.ResultsAttitudes towards all three devices were positive, with patients viewing their CVAD as part of their treatment and recovery. Participants with PICCs and Hickmans tended to compare their device favourably with peripheral cannulation. By comparison, participants with Ports consistently compared their device with PICCs and Hickmans, emphasising the perceived superiority of Ports. Ports were perceived to offer unique psychological benefits, including a greater sense of freedom and less intrusion in the context of personal relationships.ConclusionsPatient experiences and preferences have not been systematically used to inform policy and practice regarding CVAD availability and selection. Our research identified patterns of patient device preferences that favoured Ports, although this was not universal. Results of this study could improve support for patients and offer greater scope for incorporating patient perspectives into decision-making processes.Trial Registration NumberISRCTN44504648.© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

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